US EditionICE Still Hasn’t Delivered Promised Translation Technology for New Agents, Raising Safety Concerns – Knowhere News
ICE replaced its five-week Spanish course with unspecified translation services but has not acquired AI body-worn devices promised nearly four months ago.
- Nearly four months ago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement replaced the five-week Spanish language course with `robust translation services`, but Department of Homeland Security officials say it has not purchased any body-worn AI translation devices.
- To speed hiring, the Trump administration pushed to accelerate ICE recruitment by the end of the year, saying technology better serves diverse field languages than classroom Spanish instruction.
- The devices can detect up to 50 languages and relay English translations through body cameras; more than 200 departments, including Joliet Police Department and Corpus Christi Police Department, have adopted them, while ICE ran a March 2025 body-camera pilot covering part of 6,500 officers.
- DHS officials warn the procurement delay raises immediate communication risks during field arrests, citing a Mexican man and deputy marshal shooting in downtown Los Angeles earlier this week.
- Experts caution that AI translation cannot fully replace Spanish training because language skills foster trust, with Cristina Lozano Argüelles and Jason Houser warning that devices should back, not substitute, foundational communication skills.
18 Articles
18 Articles
ICE Still Hasn’t Delivered Promised Translation Technology for New Agents, Raising Safety Concerns – Knowhere News
Washington, D.C. – Immigration and Customs Enforcement has still not purchased the new translation technology it announced nearly four months ago, despite claiming the tools would replace mandatory Spanish training for new officers. According to DHS officials, the delay raises concerns about escalating communication problems during immigration arrests. The initial report was highlighted by NBC News, which revealed gaps in ICE’s preparation of ne…
ICE has not yet purchased translation technology promised for new agents
Immigration Customs and Enforcement has yet to purchase new translation technology it promised nearly four months ago would replace a Spanish language course requirement for officers as part of an effort to speed up the agency’s hiring process, according to two Homeland Security Department officials
Telemundo Las Vegas
The Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE) has not yet acquired the new translation technology it promised almost four months ago to replace the Spanish course requirement for its agents, as part of an effort to speed up the recruitment process, according to two officials of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In August, ICE officials informed the press that the agency had acquired new and robust translation services for officers t…
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