John,

Across the country, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are carrying out arrests and raids while wearing masks and hiding their identities. These secretive tactics don’t belong in a democracy. They violate basic civil rights and put all of our communities in danger. No law enforcement officer should be allowed to operate anonymously, especially when engaging in actions that tear our families and communities apart.

Thankfully, a growing number of policymakers are taking action. Representative Nydia Velázquez and Senator Alex Padilla have introduced legislation to ban the use of masks by ICE and other law enforcement agents. Senator Padilla’s bill — the VISIBLE Act — would require federal immigration officers to display identifying information clearly and would mandate public reporting to ensure transparency in enforcement actions. Rep. Velázquez’s House bill would ensure that those entrusted with enforcing the law cannot hide from accountability.  

In addition, Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman have introduced the No Secret Police Act, which would require law enforcement officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engaged in border security and civil immigration enforcement to clearly display identification and insignia, and bans use of non-tactical masks.

While these bills will not stop dangerous ICE raids, they are a critical and necessary step toward demanding transparency and accountability from an agency that is terrorizing our communities.

Send a direct message to Congress urging them to pass legislation that unmasks ICE.

Recent investigations and eyewitness reports have revealed ICE agents storming homes, detaining individuals on the street, and targeting workplaces—all while wearing face coverings and offering no proof of their official status, making it impossible to identify them. Victims of these raids often have no way to report abuse or misconduct, and local officials are left powerless to hold these agents accountable. This disturbing trend is not just unethical—it’s dangerous and un-American.

While states and localities across the country are introducing bills to ban ICE agents from hiding their identities, it’s not enough.¹ We need congressional action to ensure accountability nationwide. These bills are needed to protect people from unchecked, anonymous actions that are more like kidnapings than lawful enforcement.

Send a message to Congress today, urging them to pass legislation to unmask ICE.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

¹ State, local officials seek to ban ICE agents' masks