1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent in Washington’s 5th District regarding two recent fatal ICE shootings — one in Biddeford, Maine, and another in Texas — in which ICE agents were operating without body‑worn cameras. In both cases, eyewitness accounts contradict ICE’s official narrative, and in both cases there is no body‑camera footage to clarify what actually happened. The Maine victim was a young man with a valid work permit, and his daughter was present in the vehicle. Witnesses reported that ICE agents rammed or boxed in his car before shots were fired. The Texas victim was a father driving to work, and witnesses again reported that ICE agents boxed in his vehicle first. Regardless of political perspective, these incidents raise serious questions about federal use of force, transparency, and public trust. When federal agents conduct operations in unmarked vehicles and without cameras, the public has no reliable way to verify the accuracy of official statements. This undermines confidence in federal law enforcement and leaves families without answers. I am asking you to support or introduce legislation requiring mandatory body‑worn cameras for all ICE, CBP, and DHS enforcement personnel, including: -continuous recording during arrests, vehicle stops, and field operations -mandatory retention of footage -mandatory release of footage after any fatal use of force -penalties for disabling or failing to activate cameras -independent oversight of footage storage and release A “Federal Agent Transparency and Accountability Act” would protect civilians, protect federal agents from false accusations, and strengthen public confidence in federal enforcement agencies. Body‑worn cameras are already standard for state and local police across the country. There is no reason federal agents operating in our communities should be exempt from the same basic transparency requirements. I hope you will consider supporting legislation that ensures accountability, protects families, and reinforces trust in federal law enforcement. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.