Body cameras are a hands-free killing tool for ICE. Coalition urges NO vote on funding ICE package
A coalition of nearly 30 tech and justice organizations has issued an urgent letter rejecting Democrats’ harmful and weak reform proposals, such as body cameras for ICE agents. Ahead of a critical funding bill that includes funds for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, Democratic lawmakers should not be considering compromises like body cameras that will only cause further harm and endanger people by increasing ICE’s surveillance capacity. Following the horrific murders of Alex Pretti, Keith Porter, and Renee Good, and dozens lost in 2025 at the hands of ICE, the groups urge Congress to vote NO and indefinitely reject all funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE –including efforts that supposedly serve to hold ICE accountable but in fact just increase ICE surveillance capacity and power.
The full letter and signatory list is available at: https://www.fightforthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FFTF-Sign-On-Defund-ICE-bodycam-surveillance-letter.pdf
The letter reads in part:
“There is virtually no evidence that body cameras statistically reduce violence. A critical ProPublica investigation concluded that any potential benefits of such cameras are completely undermined by the fact police departments routinely refuse to release footage, including in instances where cops shoot people. Case in point Alex Pretti’s murder was recorded on multiple ICE agent body cameras, and Renee Good’s murderer was filming as he shot her. Meanwhile federal agents have blocked Minnesota state officials from reviewing evidence and conducting their own investigation. Body cameras have not and will not tame the aggression and unfathomable brutality unfolding in Minneapolis. Thus, what Democrats are demanding equates to a chest mounted phone case so that ICE agents can brutalize while filming hands-free.”
Signatories to the letter include a broad selection of tech justice, racial justice, and human rights organizations, including Access Now, several Indivisible chapters, Muslims Advocates, Secure Justice, Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, UltraViolet Action, and the Yale Privacy Lab.
Reem Suleiman (she/her), Senior Campaigns Director at Fight For The Future, which organized the letter, said: “Bodycams will not stop ICE terror. How many more people need to be violently abducted, jailed and murdered before Congress has the guts to cut off funding for ICE and its dangerous surveillance apparatus. This agency has no place in our country, let alone on our taxpayer payroll. A funding renewal in any form only legitimizes ICE’s actions and sends the message it’s ok for them to hurt and kill our community.”
“At all levels of government, there is a correlation between the increasing use of bodyworn cameras and increasing levels of police violence. The murders of Mr. Pretti and Ms. Good were recorded. We do not need more video footage of ICE’s evil behavior. We need accountability, and if Congress continues to fund such behavior, it will be seen as an endorsement of the Trump Administration’s policies,” said Brian Hofer, Executive Director of Secure Justice. “This country has survived for hundreds of years without ICE. Abolish the agency.”
“It’s never been more clear: Congress must stop funding abusive, lawless and deadly immigration and border patrol agencies. We urge decision makers to reject mass detention and deportation, invasive surveillance technologies, and all attempts to silence and punish dissent.” said Sumayyah Waheed, senior policy counsel at Muslim Advocates.
“ICE is designed for cruelty. At this point, there is no way to reform the agency, and particularly not with bandaid interventions like body cameras that only put our communities further at risk. ICE’s terror hurts women and families in particular: they are already killing mothers in broad daylight, they are using toddlers as bait, and they are deporting postpartum, nursing mothers. This is an opportunity for Democrats to show bravery in the face of anti-family violence and cowardice.” said Jenna Sherman, Campaign Director at UltraViolet Action.