In cities across the country, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are increasingly making arrests while concealing their identities by wearing masks, refusing to show identification, and instilling fear in immigrant communities. This secrecy is dangerous—and it’s perfectly legal.
This is what happens in authoritarian societies, not the United States of America.
Law enforcement officials must not be allowed to hide their badges and identities when making arrests. Identification on uniforms must be required. Officers must be unmasked.
When agents wear masks and refuse to disclose their names or show badges, they strip people of the basic ability to understand who is detaining them, under what authority, and for what reason. It’s an intimidation tactic—and it creates the conditions for violence, abuse, and wrongful arrests.
Masked ICE raids have led to chaos and trauma in immigrant communities. And while states like California and Illinois are advancing legislation to protect people from anonymous federal enforcement, ICE continues to act with impunity.
This isn’t just a policy debate—it’s about safety, dignity, and due process.
The right to know who is detaining you is a fundamental one. It shouldn’t matter where you’re from or what your immigration status is. ICE should not be allowed to operate like a secret police force—or like disguised thugs—in our communities.