EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar is renewing efforts to pass a bill that would prohibit federal agents from wearing masks after concerns rose over Immigration and Customs Enforcement impersonations.
Escobar is urging Congress to approve the “Visible Identification Standards for Immigration Based Law Enforcement Act,” or VISIBLE Act, which she and other lawmakers proposed in July, that aims to prohibit face masks and requires ICE officers to clearly display themselves as law enforcement.
According to the Democratic Congresswoman, in a press release on Monday, the renewed push comes after an FBI warning was issued about criminals impersonating ICE agents.
“Together with millions of Americans, I remain horrified and disgusted by the Trump Administration’s hardline immigration enforcement actions carried out by masked ICE agents unwilling to identify themselves. Following confirmation from the FBI that there have been several instances of criminals impersonating ICE agents, I renew my calls to pass the VISIBLE Act and improve credibility and public safety.”
As first reported by Wired, an FBI bulletin issued last month warned law enforcement agencies that criminals have been posing as immigration officers carrying out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states. The FBI urged agencies to make sure they comply with clearly identifying themselves and to cooperate when civilians ask to verify an officer’s identity.
The use of federal agents wearing masks increased during immigration enforcement operations under President Donald Trump’s administration, as photos and videos across social media showed agents wearing masks across the country as they conducted operations.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended the use of masks, citing instances where agents have been attacked, harassed, and threatened.
In response to the increased use of masks for federal agents, Escobar, along with Representatives Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, Judy Chu, D-California, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-California, proposed the bill in July to prohibit the use of non-medical face coverings for federal agents and require DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations.
Texas is not the first state to pursue these efforts, as other states are aiming to make similar measures, with California Governor Gavin Newsom signing the first state bill to challenge the use of masks in immigration enforcement operations.
While the “No Secret Polices Act” was signed in September by Newsom, the bill is being challenged by the Trump administration, which filed a lawsuit against California on Nov. 17 in federal court.
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