ICE Has Yet to Acquire Promised Translation Technology for New Agents
By Laura Strickler and Julia Ainsley
NBC News | November 14, 2025
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has not yet purchased the new translation technology it promised to replace a previously required five-week Spanish-language course for new agents, according to two Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials. This delay raises concerns about communication barriers in the field, particularly as ICE expands its workforce amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts.
Background: Replacing Spanish Course with Technology
In July 2025, ICE scrapped its mandatory five-week Spanish-language training for new officers to accelerate the hiring process aligned with a Trump administration directive to increase the agency’s ranks to 10,000 agents by the end of the year. At that time, ICE officials announced plans to deploy “robust translation services” to support officers during immigration arrests, suggesting these tools would be more efficient than traditional language courses.
Caleb Vitello, former head of training for new ICE recruits, described the forthcoming translation technology as a significant improvement over the previous Spanish training requirement. ICE had considered equipping agents with AI-powered translation services integrated into body-worn cameras to assist in communicating with non-English speakers during field operations. However, the promised technology remains unpurchased, according to DHS officials.
Current Translation Support and Concerns
ICE continues to rely primarily on a translation service hotline for office-based interactions, but no new in-field technology has been obtained or deployed to replace the Spanish course. An ICE spokesperson confirmed the agency replaced the Spanish class requirement with “a more robust translation service” but declined to specify the type of services provided.
This situation has raised alarms about potential communication misunderstandings that could jeopardize the safety of ICE officers and the individuals they encounter. DHS officials highlighted concerns that without either language training or reliable in-field translation tools, interactions may escalate unnecessarily, putting all parties at risk.
Unlike ICE, the U.S. Border Patrol still mandates Spanish-language training for new agents, per the Office of Personnel Management.
AI-Powered Body Camera Translation: Adoption by Police Departments
While ICE has not embraced AI translation technology, many U.S. police departments have begun using devices integrating body cameras with AI language translation capabilities. Developed by Axon Enterprise, these devices detect and translate up to 50 languages during interactions, providing real-time English translations via an AI-generated voice.
The Joliet Police Department in Illinois, for example, started using Axon’s translation devices in June 2025. The department reported more than 1,800 encounters involving 23 different languages facilitated by the technology. Officer Charles Moore cited the positive impact on community relations, noting that when people realize they are understood, it fosters trust and cooperation.
Similarly, the Corpus Christi Police Department in Texas uses Axon’s translation devices, complementing the fact that fewer than half of its 260 officers speak Spanish natively. Lt. Jose Gonzalez, initially skeptical as a native Spanish speaker, now supports the technology after witnessing its effectiveness in the field. He stressed, however, that no technology is foolproof and foundational communication skills remain essential.
Experts Weigh In: Technology vs. Language Training
Though AI translation tools offer promising support, experts emphasize they should not fully replace language training. Cristina Lozano Argüelles, assistant professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, called AI translation “exciting” but pointed out that Spanish-language training helps build trust and fosters calmer and more respectful interactions between law enforcement and Spanish-speaking communities.
Jason Houser, former ICE chief of staff under the Biden administration, warned that lacking basic Spanish proficiency increases the risk of dangerous encounters, endangering both migrants and agents by limiting clear communication.
Recent Incidents Highlight Risks of Language Barriers
Several confrontations between federal agents and migrants have turned violent in recent months, underscoring the stakes of effective communication. For instance, a recent incident in downtown Los Angeles involved a Mexican man and a deputy marshal who were both shot during an attempted arrest by federal agents. It remains unclear whether language barriers contributed.
In another case, Raquel Sanchez and her husband, both non-English speakers, were stopped by ICE agents who did not speak Spanish. Recording of the interaction reveals their struggle to communicate, leading to Sanchez’s detention and her husband’s transfer to a distant ICE facility. Sanchez’s experience illustrates the challenges faced by immigrants and the potential benefits of improved language access during enforcement actions.
Moving Forward
ICE’s failure to purchase the promised translation technology comes as the agency pushes to meet aggressive hiring goals without providing new agents with essential language tools. Given the increasing diversity of immigrant populations, experts and law enforcement alike advocate for multifaceted approaches that combine language training with modern translation aids to improve safety, efficiency, and community trust.
An ICE spokesperson reiterated the agency’s commitment to using technology-based translation solutions that cover multiple languages, reflecting the broad range of linguistic backgrounds encountered in immigration enforcement.
As ICE continues expanding its agent count, the acquisition and deployment of effective translation resources will be critical to supporting officers and ensuring safer, more productive interactions across communities nationwide.
Contact: Laura Strickler (Senior Investigative Producer, NBC News National Security Team)
Julia Ainsley (Senior Homeland Security Correspondent, NBC News)
