End ICE Stonewalling of Body-Camera Evidence and Denials of Congressional Access

Immediate Need for Congressional Action I urge you to speak out against the growing pattern of stonewalling by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to convene immediate oversight hearings. ICE has restricted congressional access to detention facilities, withheld bodycam footage in controversial enforcement actions including those in Chicago, and resisted lawful inquiries into use of force and detainee treatment. Congress must act now to ensure transparency and accountability. ICE Obstruction of Oversight Members of Congress have repeatedly reported delays, denials, and restrictive notice requirements when seeking access to ICE sites. Senators have warned DHS that these policies violate federal law and undermine Congress’s ability to inspect conditions, verify detainee safety, and prevent abuse. No agency should be allowed to circumvent statutory oversight. Lack of Transparency in Enforcement Incidents ICE has withheld critical bodycam footage linked to disputed enforcement encounters. When video evidence is not released promptly, Congress cannot determine whether misconduct occurred, communities cannot assess agency actions, and victims cannot seek justice. Transparency must be nonnegotiable for all federal law enforcement personnel. Related Concerns Within CBP Similar transparency problems exist within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has also faced scrutiny for delayed release of bodycam footage and inconsistent cooperation with oversight inquiries. Because ICE and CBP both operate under DHS and engage in frontline enforcement, Congress should adopt uniform rules requiring rapid disclosure of footage, immediate access for oversight visits, and enforceable penalties for noncompliance. Need for Legislative Reform Congress should enact legislation that establishes clear timelines for releasing enforcement footage, guarantees unimpeded congressional access to DHS facilities, and creates mandatory reporting requirements for use of force incidents. These reforms must apply to both ICE and CBP to ensure consistent accountability across DHS enforcement agencies. Request for Action I respectfully ask you to publicly oppose ICE stonewalling, require release of withheld footage, hold urgent oversight hearings, and introduce legislation that strengthens transparency and oversight for ICE and CBP. Democratic accountability depends on Congress acting now.