Velázquez, Lawmakers and Advocates Rally to End Masked ICE Arrests
NEW YORK — Today, outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center at 26 Federal Plaza, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) was joined by Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY), immigrant rights advocates, and legal experts to spotlight the No Masks for ICE Act and call for immediate federal action to end secretive, unaccountable immigration enforcement.
“We would never accept it if the NYPD operated in masks without names or badges—and we shouldn’t accept it from ICE either,” said Velázquez. “When agents hide their faces and identities they create chaos, fear, and open the door to abuse. Immigrant communities are left wondering if they’re being arrested or kidnapped. That’s not how law enforcement should operate in a democracy. This bill is about restoring basic standards and bringing basic transparency and accountability to immigration enforcement.”
Velázquez introduced the No Masks for ICE Act earlier this month in response to a surge of incidents in which ICE agents have conducted arrests in plain clothes and masks, without clearly identifying themselves or their agency. Advocates say the arrests have resulted in confusion, panic, and even impersonation by criminals exploiting the lack of accountability.
The bill would:
- Prohibit ICE agents from wearing facial coverings during enforcement actions, unless medically necessary or required for safety;
- Require agents to wear clearly marked clothing displaying their name and affiliation with ICE during arrests;
- Mandate written justification for any use of a mask, to be submitted by a supervisor within 48 hours;
- Require DHS to report annually to Congress on any complaints and disciplinary actions related to violations of the bill.
“The past few months we’ve seen a disturbing pattern: masked, plain-clothes agents ambushing immigrants outside courtrooms and on city streets,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “If their operations are legitimate and above-board, why is there a need for anonymity, and why don’t they need warrants to come onto private property? This bill will put an end to those intimidation tactics, restore transparency, and ensure the public knows exactly who is wielding federal power in our communities.”
“Democracy cannot exist in darkness, nor can it exist behind a mask," said Benjamin Remy, Senior Staff Attorney for New York Legal Assistance Group's Immigrant Protection Unit. "In immigration courts across the country, we have seen masked 'agents' committing violent and atrocious violations of people’s most basic rights — all while shielding themselves from accountability by concealing their identities. Without accountability and transparency, there is no true due process — and this should terrify us all.”
“The New Yorkers we serve have a fundamental right to know who is detaining them, why they’re being arrested, and how to hold officers accountable if their rights are violated,” said Deborah Lee, Attorney-in-Charge of the Immigration Law Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “When ICE agents hide behind masks, it creates fear and confusion in already vulnerable immigrant communities — and opens the door to impersonation, abuse, and civil rights violations. Due process means knowing who is detaining you and being able to challenge that detention in court. We applaud prime sponsor Congresswoman Velázquez and co-sponsor Congressman Jerrold Nadler for bringing much-needed attention to an issue that demands action.”
The No Masks for ICE act is cosponsored by Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Emily Randall (D-WA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Greg Casar (D-TX).
Read a full copy of the bill here.
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