ICE Shootings Transparency Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 1, 2026
Bottom line
The "ICE Shootings Transparency Act" aims to increase accountability and transparency for incidents involving force by ICE and CBP officers by requiring federal agencies to proactively share information with local authorities.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General share evidence and grant access to incident locations with state and local law enforcement agencies when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discharge a firearm, injure, or kill a person during their official duties. This includes providing access without unreasonable delay, subject to scene safety, and sharing all relevant investigatory materials like body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, and witness statements on an ongoing basis.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill is crucial for enhancing transparency and accountability within federal immigration enforcement agencies. They contend that timely information sharing with state and local law enforcement is essential for thorough, independent investigations into incidents involving the use of force, fostering public trust, and ensuring justice for affected individuals and communities. Supporters believe it addresses a perceived lack of federal cooperation in such cases.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that existing federal protocols for investigating use-of-force incidents are sufficient and that mandating immediate and ongoing sharing of evidence could compromise ongoing federal investigations, potentially interfere with national security operations, or expose sensitive information. They may also raise concerns about potential jurisdictional conflicts or the risk of evidence mishandling if not properly coordinated.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 2
Mandatory Information Sharing and Scene Access for Use-of-Force Incidents
This section requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to promptly provide state and local law enforcement agencies with access to the scene of any incident where an ICE or CBP officer discharges a firearm, injures, or kills someone while on duty. It also mandates the ongoing sharing of all relevant evidence, such as body camera footage, surveillance, communications, and forensic evidence, with these local agencies, while allowing for legitimate scene-safety and evidence-preservation needs.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision is essential for ensuring independent and transparent investigations into federal use-of-force incidents, which can be critical for building public trust and accountability. They believe it closes a loophole where federal agencies might withhold information from local authorities, hindering justice.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that this provision could create jurisdictional conflicts, potentially compromise ongoing federal investigations, or lead to premature disclosure of sensitive information. They may argue that federal agencies have their own robust internal investigation processes that should take precedence.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the need for federal agencies to conduct their own investigations and preserve evidence with the public demand for transparency and independent oversight by local authorities. It navigates the tension between federal operational autonomy and local jurisdictional interests in accountability.