Immigration Enforcement Staff Body Camera Accountability Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 4651
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4651Immigration
Immigration Enforcement Staff Body Camera Accountability Act
INTRO JUL 23· LAST ACTION JUL 24
READING
—
COSPONSORS
4
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses issues of accountability and transparency in federal immigration enforcement, which are frequent subjects of public debate and concern. If this bill becomes law, it could provide a clearer record of interactions between immigration enforcement staff and the public, potentially reducing disputes over what happened during an encounter and offering a valuable source of evidence in cases of alleged misconduct or abuse. This transparency could help build public trust in immigration agencies and ensure that enforcement actions are conducted fairly and according to established procedures.
Without this bill, current practices regarding body camera use by federal immigration agencies may vary, or not exist at all, leading to less consistent oversight. The bill's requirement for footage to be available in legal proceedings could strengthen due process for individuals facing immigration actions. Furthermore, the inclusion of policies for artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology use with body camera footage touches on broader concerns about privacy and the ethical deployment of advanced surveillance technologies by government agencies. This bill's approach to these issues sets a precedent for how federal law enforcement might be equipped and overseen.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and immigration detention staff interacting with detainees to wear body cameras during official operations.
This provision ensures broad coverage of body camera use across key federal immigration enforcement roles, increasing transparency.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that body cameras remain on from the beginning of an enforcement staff member's shift until the end.
The "always-on" requirement aims to capture all official interactions, preventing selective recording and enhancing accountability.
PROVISION 03
Stipulates that body camera footage must be made available to any party involved in related administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.
This ensures that footage serves as evidence, promoting fairness and due process in legal matters.
PROVISION 04
Establishes penalties, such as furlough or suspension, for immigration enforcement staff whose body camera fails to record due to a violation of the "always-on" rule.
These penalties provide a strong incentive for compliance and ensure consequences for non-adherence to the camera policy.
PROVISION 05
Requires policies for the use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology with body camera footage, including acknowledging their limitations and inaccuracies.
This addresses concerns about advanced surveillance technologies, aiming to balance their utility with privacy and accuracy safeguards.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
COMMITTEE
JUL 23
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 23
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 23
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses issues of accountability and transparency in federal immigration enforcement, which are frequent subjects of public debate and concern. If this bill becomes law, it could provide a clearer record of interactions between immigration enforcement staff and the public, potentially reducing disputes over what happened during an encounter and offering a valuable source of evidence in cases of alleged misconduct or abuse. This transparency could help build public trust in immigration agencies and ensure that enforcement actions are conducted fairly and according to established procedures.
Without this bill, current practices regarding body camera use by federal immigration agencies may vary, or not exist at all, leading to less consistent oversight. The bill's requirement for footage to be available in legal proceedings could strengthen due process for individuals facing immigration actions. Furthermore, the inclusion of policies for artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology use with body camera footage touches on broader concerns about privacy and the ethical deployment of advanced surveillance technologies by government agencies. This bill's approach to these issues sets a precedent for how federal law enforcement might be equipped and overseen.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and immigration detention staff interacting with detainees to wear body cameras during official operations.
This provision ensures broad coverage of body camera use across key federal immigration enforcement roles, increasing transparency.
high
Mandates that body cameras remain on from the beginning of an enforcement staff member's shift until the end.
The "always-on" requirement aims to capture all official interactions, preventing selective recording and enhancing accountability.
med
Stipulates that body camera footage must be made available to any party involved in related administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.
This ensures that footage serves as evidence, promoting fairness and due process in legal matters.
high
Establishes penalties, such as furlough or suspension, for immigration enforcement staff whose body camera fails to record due to a violation of the "always-on" rule.
These penalties provide a strong incentive for compliance and ensure consequences for non-adherence to the camera policy.
med
Requires policies for the use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology with body camera footage, including acknowledging their limitations and inaccuracies.
This addresses concerns about advanced surveillance technologies, aiming to balance their utility with privacy and accuracy safeguards.
Furlough, reduction in pay or grade, or suspension of up to 30 days.
Any immigration enforcement staff member whose body camera does not record footage because of a violation of the 'always-on' requirement.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Immigration Enforcement Staff
Refers to all agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as any staff at immigration detention facilities who interact with detainees.
Body Camera
A wearable video recording device used by law enforcement or enforcement staff to record interactions with the public and gather evidence.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and understanding language.
Facial Recognition Technology
A technology capable of identifying or verifying a person from a digital image or a video frame by analyzing patterns in their facial features.
Administrative Proceeding
A non-judicial proceeding before a governmental agency that involves the application of rules to specific situations or persons, often leading to a decision or order.
Adverse Action
A disciplinary action taken against a federal employee, such as a suspension, reduction in pay or grade, or furlough.
Rulemaking
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
JUL 24, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
COMMITTEE
JUL 23, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 23, 25
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 23, 25
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The process by which federal agencies propose and establish new regulations or modify existing ones, typically involving public notice and comment periods.
