From The Hill: Newly introduced legislation in Massachusetts aims to prohibit federal immigration enforcement officers from wearing masks while on the job.
With the ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and detainments, agents often cover their faces with masks, but a state bill filed this week would prevent them from being in disguise. State Rep. Jim Hawkins is proposing legislation to ban law enforcement and immigration officials at all levels from concealing their identity while on duty.
It comes in response to concerns about transparency and accountability within ICE, as some lawmakers say current practices create fear and distrust. In the bill, offenders could face a misdemeanor.
Hawkins cited the controversial arrest of Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained on the streets of Somerville by ICE agents who were in disguise back in March.
The Department of Homeland Security posted a video clip from a Newsmax interview and wrote, “At a time when ICE officers are facing a 700 percent increase in assaults against them, Sanctuary politicians like Sen. Alex Padilla and Sen. Cory Booker are trying to outlaw officers from wearing masks. The American people understand that ICE officers wear masks to protect themselves and their families from being doxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorists.”
At a time when ICE officers are facing a 700 percent increase in assaults against them, Sanctuary politicians like Sen. Alex Padilla and Sen. Cory Booker are trying to outlaw officers from wearing masks.
The American people understand that ICE officers wear masks to protect… pic.twitter.com/yUrVK0fzht
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 9, 2025
The White House Rapid Response Team shared a video clip of President Trump, who said, “When they picket in front of Harvard wearing masks, nobody complains — but when a patriot who works for ICE wears a mask so they won’t be targeted, they have a problem…. This is the problem with the Democrats — they have a lot of bad things going on in their heads.”
.@POTUS: When they picket in front of Harvard wearing masks, nobody complains — but when a patriot who works for ICE wears a mask so they won’t be targeted, they have a problem.
“This is the problem with the Democrats — they have a lot of bad things going on in their heads.” pic.twitter.com/qMX4UNLWYH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 9, 2025
Tuesday night, former Fox News host Geraldo Rivera, a liberal, sneered, “Cops do not wear masks. They deal with the most dangerous elements in society. Why do ICE agents wear masks? What are they hiding?”
Cops do not wear masks. They deal with the most dangerous elements in society. Why do ICE agents wear masks? What are they hiding?
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) July 9, 2025
Democrat Sen. Alex Padilla of California has proposed legislation that would ban ICE agents from wearing masks nationwide.
“No more masks. No more secrecy. No more rogue ICE operations. When agents hide their identity, communities can’t tell if they’re dealing with law enforcement or impersonators. The VISIBLE Act would change that and bring transparency and accountability to the Trump raids currently terrorizing families across California and the nation,” Padilla declared.
No more masks. No more secrecy. No more rogue ICE operations.
When agents hide their identity, communities can’t tell if they’re dealing with law enforcement or impersonators.
The VISIBLE Act would change that and bring transparency and accountability to the Trump raids… pic.twitter.com/BxQJ24Zpgh
— Alex Padilla (@AlexPadilla4CA) July 8, 2025
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