The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), David Venturella, accused the Associated Press of mischaracterization and sensationalism in its article on the agency’s body-worn camera (BWC) policy. AP should be fined.

     In a statement posted to X,  Venturella said the news outlet conflated the broader agency policy on release of footage with expedited release in certain circumstances.  “It’s disappointing, though not surprising, to see yet another misleading and sensationalized Associated Press report about ICE operations and policy,” he said.  “The AP fundamentally mischaracterized ICE’s body-worn camera policy by conflating the expedited release of footage following a serious bodily injury or death in custody with ICE’s broader authority to release body-worn camera footage,” he continued.      

     In its article, the AP referenced the February, 2025 ICE directive on BWCs, which gave parameters for the expedited release of footage in the event of serious bodily injury or death in custody.  “If it is determined that it is in the best interests of the agency to publicly release the BWC footage, ICE will, as soon as practicable, expedite the public release of such footage,” the directive stated, noting this should occur within 72 hours or when feasible.

     “If there are specific and compelling circumstances justifying an objection to public release that cannot be resolved by redaction or other means, when determined by the ICE Director or his or her designee, ICE may withhold or indefinitely delay the release of the BWC footage,” the document continued.  The AP framed the policy as giving the agency broad ability to protect its image while sacrificing transparency.  “That gives its director discretion to release recordings that reflect well on the agency’s image while working to keep others secret, experts on body camera policies said,” wrote Ryan Foley, the article’s author.