USCIS Orders Bodycams Ahead of New Agents' Green Card Crackdown
Summary
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has bought body-worn cameras for its staff as it expands its role in law enforcement. The agency plans to train special agents with authority to make arrests and investigate immigration fraud, stepping beyond its traditional job of processing immigration benefits.Key Facts
- USCIS bought body-worn cameras and related equipment from Axon for $159,675, with the contract lasting until August 2027.
- This is the first time USCIS has purchased bodycams, which are more common with law enforcement agencies.
- USCIS is creating special agents with powers to arrest, carry guns, and execute search warrants.
- The new agents will focus on investigating immigration fraud and national security threats.
- USCIS has brought in more than 700 Homeland Defenders, trained in immigration law and fraud detection.
- The agency recently allowed neighborhood investigations to check naturalization applicants more closely.
- USCIS’s new enforcement role differs from its traditional mission since it was created to handle immigration benefits, not law enforcement.
- The expansion aligns USCIS closer to agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which focus on enforcement.
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