U.S. Border Patrol agents will no longer use body cameras during field operations.
Border Patrol has ordered agents to immediately stop using body-worn cameras (BWC) in all operational settings, NewsNation reported Saturday.
“All U.S. Border Patrol Agents will cease the use of body-worn cameras (BWC) in all operational environments,” a statement to Border Patrol obtained by NewsNation reads.
The directive follows a security concern tied to online discussions about identifying Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“Pending completion of investigation and risk mitigation, all Agents will stand down the use of their BWCs until further notice,” the statement continues. “Additional guidance and information will be disseminated as it is received.”
A Reddit user claimed that agents could be identified using BLE Radar by F-Droid, an app that scans for Bluetooth low-energy devices such as phones, smartwatches, and speakers. Social media posts suggest agents can be tracked from over 100 yards away and warn of potential threats, including improvised explosive device attacks.
Meanwhile, ICE has ramped up deportations, leveraging commercial databases, driver’s records, and utility data to locate non-citizens subject to removal. The agency’s website outlines its expanding enforcement efforts.
President Trump recently signed a memo directing preparations at Guantánamo Bay to house deported migrants—part of his administration’s broader immigration policies.
