New Act Mandates Body Cameras for ICE/CBP Agents, Sets Six-Month Video Deletion Rule

The “Trust Through Transparency Act of 2025” is a piece of legislation aimed squarely at increasing accountability for federal immigration enforcement. Simply put, this bill requires all Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, plus any other federally designated immigration enforcement officers, to wear and use body cameras whenever they are performing enforcement duties that involve the public. This covers everything from routine patrols and traffic stops to arrests and interviews where status is being checked, but it specifically excludes any covert or undercover work. The core purpose here is to create a documented record of these public interactions, ideally protecting both the public and the agents involved.

The Six-Month Clock and the Delete Button

One of the most critical parts of this bill is the video retention schedule, which has a short fuse. The default rule is that the footage must be kept for only six months, and then it must be permanently deleted. Think of it like your phone automatically wiping your photo roll unless you manually save something. However, the bill carves out important exceptions that trigger longer retention. If the footage shows any use of force, captures an arrest, or if a person filmed files a complaint about the encounter, the video must be saved longer. This is a huge deal because it means that if an incident occurs, you have to file a complaint relatively quickly to ensure the video evidence isn't destroyed, which could be a tight window for busy people or those navigating complex legal situations.

Extended Retention: Who Gets to Keep the Tape?

Beyond the mandatory exceptions, the bill allows for footage to be kept for up to three years under several voluntary requests. The officer who recorded the video, a superior officer, or an officer who was the subject of the video can request extended retention if they argue it has value for evidence or exoneration. Crucially, the person filmed—or their parent, guardian, next of kin, or authorized representative if they are a minor or deceased—can also request that the footage be saved for the full three years. This provision gives power to the public, ensuring that if you believe a recording of your interaction might be needed later, you have a mechanism to preserve it, whether it’s for a legal case or simply for your peace of mind.

Holding the Line: Compliance and Consequences

This bill doesn't just mandate cameras; it mandates oversight. Section 3 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that officers who fail to comply with the body camera rules face administrative discipline. The severity of the punishment—a written warning versus suspension—will depend on existing agency policy and union agreements, which means the accountability measures could vary widely. The bill also requires DHS to send an annual report to Congress, detailing the total number of enforcement actions, how many times officers failed to follow the camera rules, and what disciplinary steps were taken. Within 30 days of submission, this report must be posted publicly online, giving the public a yearly check-in on how transparent the agencies are actually being.

The Devil in the Details: Redactions and Loopholes

While the public reporting is a big win for transparency, there’s a catch: the Inspector General (IG) has the power to redact (black out) parts of the public report if they need to protect sensitive law enforcement work or privacy. While the IG must explain why they redacted information, this gives a lot of discretion to an internal watchdog to potentially shield uncomfortable compliance failures from full public view. Furthermore, the short six-month retention period for non-incident footage means that if evidence of misconduct doesn't immediately result in a formal complaint or arrest, it could be gone before external oversight groups or legal teams even become aware of its existence. This creates a high hurdle for accountability where incidents are not immediately reported.