New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken the lead in a coalition of 20 attorneys general urging Congress to pass legislation that would prevent federal immigration agents from wearing masks that hide their identities. The proposed laws would require these agents to clearly identify themselves and their agency during civil enforcement actions.
Attorney General James emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “It is deeply disturbing that, in the United States of America, masked agents can pull people off the streets in unmarked cars without ever identifying themselves as law enforcement.” She added, “Congress needs to act now to ensure that all law enforcement agencies, including ICE, are held to basic standards of transparency, accountability, and respect for civil rights. There is no place in this country for a secret police force operating in the shadows.”
The coalition’s letter highlights a pattern where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents make arrests without clear identification. This practice creates confusion and fear among communities and complicates efforts by witnesses or bystanders who might mistake such actions for kidnappings. The attorneys general express concern over ICE’s increasing detentions on streets, homes, workplaces, and courthouses.
While current federal law requires ICE agents to identify themselves when practical and safe, the attorneys general argue these practices are often not followed. They call for Congress to establish clearer requirements to prevent further issues. While acknowledging that protective measures may be necessary in certain situations, they stress that anonymity should not be standard in federal civil immigration enforcement.
The letter also notes significant safety risks not only to those apprehended but also to ICE agents and public members who might intervene under mistaken assumptions. The coalition points out that impersonation of immigration officers is rising due to ICE’s lack of transparency.
Proposed legislation cited includes the “No Secret Police Act,” “No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act,’’ “ICE Badge Visibility Act” in the House of Representatives, and the Senate’s “Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act.”
Joining Attorney General James are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington and the District of Columbia.
