Democrat lawmakers push back against ICE agents wearing masks

Immigration Enforcement & Policy - The report highlights the controversy surrounding federal agents concealing their identities while making arrests, particularly of asylum seekers, which is seen by some as a move towards authoritarianism [1][2][3][5] - A California bill aims to ban law enforcement from hiding their faces while on duty, sparking a debate over state versus federal authority [4][7] - The Department of Homeland Security defends the use of masks, citing a nearly 700% increase in assaults on ICE agents, but did not provide raw numbers, attributing the surge to the vilification of ICE by Democrats [6] - Democrats in the House and Senate are proposing bills to require immigration officers to display clear identification and not wear masks [8] Legal & Constitutional Issues - The legality of states mandating the actions of federal law enforcement is questioned, particularly regarding operational necessity [7] - The Trump administration might seek a Supreme Court ruling on the matter [8] - The report mentions existing state laws restricting masks, originally passed in response to the Ku Klux Klan, and the unresolved constitutional problems surrounding anonymous protest and concealed law enforcement [12][13] Safety & Security Concerns - ICE claims agents are masking due to doxing and threats against them and their families [9] - Republican Senator Marcia Blackburn introduced legislation to make it illegal to dox federal immigration officials, punishable by a fine or up to 5 years in jail [10] - The report notes a potential link between masked agents and increased resistance during arrests, as people may not know who is arresting them [15]