Masks Worn by ICE Agents to Be Restricted Nationwide

ICE agents are set to stop wearing masks in public, following a court ruling that restricted their ability to conceal their identities while carrying out arrests and raids. In California, where the No Secret Police Act was passed last year, federal law enforcement agencies were required to remove their masks during all interactions with the public, unless it posed an actual risk to the agent’s safety or others’ life or limb. The restrictions are aimed at increasing accountability for ICE agents and restoring trust in law enforcement among marginalized communities. The change will have significant implications for how ICE carries out its operations, particularly in areas where community members have expressed concerns about being targeted by federal agents. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of ICE agents using disguises to identify and apprehend individuals, including a Minnesota legislator who was killed last year while wearing a mask that failed to alert authorities that the assailant was an undercover agent. The move comes as the Biden administration seeks to address widespread concerns about the conduct of federal law enforcement agencies, particularly in regards to immigration. The new rules are expected to be enforced nationwide and could have significant impacts on how ICE operates in communities across the country.