New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of 20 other attorneys general urging Congress to ban federal immigration agents from concealing their identities during civil enforcement actions.
In a letter sent to every member of Congress on Tuesday, the coalition called for legislation that would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks and require them to clearly identify themselves and their agency during arrests. The attorneys general argue that the growing use of masked, plainclothes ICE officers operating in unmarked vehicles undermines public safety and erodes accountability.
“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,” said Attorney General James. “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 letter details what the coalition calls a troubling pattern of ICE agents making arrests without identifying themselves, leading to public confusion and, at times, fear that a kidnapping is taking place. The attorneys general warn that such tactics also make it difficult for bystanders to report misconduct and raise the risk of escalating confrontations.
Federal law already mandates that ICE agents identify themselves “as soon as it is practical and safe to do so,” but the attorneys general argue those standards are being routinely ignored.
The letter also cites the rise in impersonation of immigration officers as a growing concern, noting that ICE’s lack of visible identification makes it easier for bad actors to deceive the public.
The coalition is throwing its support behind several bills already introduced in Congress, including the No Secret Police Act, the No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act, the ICE Badge Visibility Act, and the Senate’s VISIBLE Act — all designed to increase transparency in immigration enforcement.
Joining Attorney General James in signing the letter are the attorneys general of 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.
