Border czar says ICE agents should get body cameras ‘as soon as possible’

White House border czar Tom Homan says that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents should be equipped with body cameras “as soon as possible,” as the agency faces increased scrutiny following deadly shootings in Maine and Texas.

Related video above: Trump reverses suspension of ICE vehicle stops after deadly shootings

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday, Homan said ICE has purchased body cameras for officers nationwide and was “training the trainers” to teach agents how to use the equipment.

“As soon as possible, if I had it my way,” Homan said when asked when the cameras would be fully deployed.

Homan did not provide a specific timeline. Acting ICE Director David Venturella previously told members of Congress that the cameras would be deployed by the end of July, according to lawmakers.

Homan said ICE had to hire employees, establish systems to store video and prepare to process public records requests before expanding the body-camera program. He has blamed delays partly on a lack of funding during a federal government shutdown earlier this year.

Several senators, including independent Maine Sen. Angus King, disputed that explanation in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. They said the Department of Homeland Security has had sufficient time and money to distribute the cameras and called the end-of-July timeline a “firm, binding commitment.”

The renewed attention comes after the deadly shooting of Johan Guerrero, a Colombian national, during an ICE operation in Biddeford on July 13. The ICE officer who fired the shots was not wearing a body camera.

According to Homan, every future ICE vehicle stop will include at least one officer wearing a working body camera that will remain activated for the entire stop.

ICE briefly suspended most vehicle stops after the shootings in Biddeford and Houston. President Donald Trump reversed that decision less than 24 hours later and directed agents to resume the stops.

Homan defended the agents involved in the recent shootings, saying the people who were killed had failed to comply with law enforcement. He also said questions about the vetting of the officer involved in the Biddeford shooting should be addressed through the ongoing investigation.

“That’s a question for ICE. That’s under investigation. I’m sure that part now is part of the investigation,” Homan said in reference to the officer’s alleged history. “We’ll let the investigation play out.”

“If you’re going to give somebody a badge and gun, they need to be the best they can be,” Homan added.

ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.