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

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.

In August, ICE officials told reporters that the agency had purchased new “robust translation services” for officers to use in the field while pursuing immigration arrests as part of President Donald Trump’s deportations policy. Caleb Vitello, who was the head of training for new ICE recruits at the time, described the new technology as “so much more efficient” than the five-week-long Spanish course.

ICE had considered providing officers with body-worn translation services, powered by AI, that can be used on body cameras but has not purchased any, the two DHS official said.

The lack of Spanish classes or the body-worn translation devices for new ICE officers as they carry out arrests has sparked concern about potential communication misunderstandings that could endanger the agents and people in the communities they are targeting, the officials said.

The Trump administration has sought to speed up ICE’s hiring process to meet its goal of hiring 10,000 new officers by the end of the year.