CHICAGO — A coalition of elected officials at the state, national, and local levels is advocating for new legislation aimed at curbing the practices of federal agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concerning their appearance while on duty.
A bill titled the No Secret Police Act of 2025 was introduced by several members of Congress, including seven Illinois House representatives, late last month.
This legislation seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which outlines the functions and authorities of the Department of Homeland Security.
Specifically, the proposed bill would ban ICE agents from wearing face masks and require agents of the Department of Homeland Security to visibly identify themselves through uniforms or insignias while performing their duties.
Among the co-sponsors of this bill are Illinois Representatives Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Jonathan Jackson, Danny Davis, Sean Casten, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Janice Schakowsky.
In addition to federal efforts, local elected leaders from the 12th police district council in Chicago are also pushing for measures to prevent federal agents from wearing masks in the city.
These calls come amid reports of masked federal agents making arrests at immigration courts, conducting routine check-ins, and executing raids in Chicago, a trend that has extended nationwide.
California state lawmakers have also proposed similar legislation, though it has not yet received approval.
Another bill currently under consideration in Congress aims to prohibit immigration officers from donning any garments that include the word ‘police.’
Rep. Garcia expressed his concerns via an email, stating, “ICE agents are wearing masks, hiding their identities and abducting people off the streets with no warrants.
That’s not law enforcement — it’s a rogue operation, and it must be stopped.
That’s why I support legislation addressing this issue.”
Elected officials have condemned the actions of masked ICE agents, arguing that such practices instill fear and confusion across Chicago’s communities.
Rep. Ramirez criticized directives from the Trump administration that have led to the deployment of masked, unidentified agents in communities, claiming they create terror and facilitate violations of civil rights.
Immigrant rights leaders have raised alarms about the tactics employed by ICE agents, which they believe serve to intimidate immigrants and reduce accountability, ultimately leading to public safety concerns.
Adam Goodman, an associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, noted that the presence of masked ICE agents contributes to a climate of fear among both immigrants and citizens.
“This behavior can lead to racial profiling and violations of basic civil rights for citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented immigrants alike,” Goodman said.
ICE officials have asserted that agents wear masks to protect their identities and families from potential threats such as doxxing.
Goodman pointed out that this practice has emerged more prominently under the current administration, contrasting with previous periods when such tactics were not common.
He suspects that the increase in such occurrences might be a response to community organizing efforts aimed at documenting ICE detentions using mobile devices.
Moreover, recent instances have surfaced where federal law enforcement, other than ICE agents, are also seen wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves.
During protests, masked agents have interacted with demonstrators who were opposing arrests outside the Chicago immigration court at 55 E. Monroe St.
An organizer present at these protests reported incidents where masked individuals, identified as federal agents, engaged with demonstrators while wearing unmarked clothing and exhibiting aggressive behavior.
In a letter dated June 24, members of the Near West police district council urged Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling to implement local regulations that would mandate federal agents to comply with identification standards while on duty.
Council member Leonardo Quintero emphasized, “At a very minimum, we need to know exactly who they are as they approach any resident.
That is: no mask and having an identifiable agency tag, as well as a badge or name tag.”
Despite the calls for accountability, the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Johnson’s office have not provided responses to requests for comments regarding this matter.
Quintero elaborated that having identifiable agents fosters public accountability, particularly in situations involving alleged rights violations or instances of brutality.
Reports from community members suggest that ICE agents have made detentions while using tinted, unmarked vehicles, further compounding concerns regarding their operations.
Experts in immigrant rights have voiced their worries about how the presence of unidentified, masked agents could rise to intimidate immigrant communities.
The tactics employed could have detrimental effects, particularly regarding accountability and civil liberties for both documented and undocumented residents.
Local district council members have underscored the need for transparency and accountability, expressing that the public has a right to know the identities and authorities of individuals interacting with them under the guise of law enforcement.
Alderman Andre Vasquez (40th), who chairs the city’s immigration committee, has also indicated his support for measures that necessitate identification for immigration agents.
He acknowledged that he and other members of the Latino Caucus have raised these issues with both Mayor Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker’s external affairs teams but indicated that no follow-up actions have been provided thus far.
Vasquez conveyed a hope that both city and state law departments would find ways to balance litigation concerns while ensuring safety for Chicagoans against potential overreach by masked federal agents.
A significant gap often exists between the operational procedures of ICE and existing legal frameworks governing law enforcement practices.
It remains unclear whether local governments can enact regulations to oversee federal agencies’ operations within their jurisdictions.
Angel Novalez, chief of community policing for the Chicago Police Department, addressed community concerns by stating that residents can call the police if they suspect an officer is impersonating a legitimate law enforcement official.
The call for change comes in the wake of troubling instances, such as when a man impersonating a police officer allegedly shot and killed Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home earlier this month.
In California, there is growing momentum for similar legislative proposals, including one that would specifically bar ICE agents from concealing their faces while on duty.
In Huntington Park, California, local officials have been proactive, asking police departments to verify the identities of individuals participating in ICE operations within town limits, as documented by local news reports.
Community organizers across Chicago are urging for an end to the use of unidentifiable, masked federal agents, stating, “No masks.
No concealment.
The public has a right to know who is engaging with them and under what authority.”
The ongoing dialogue surrounding the identification of law enforcement agents is poised to continue as advocates strive for increased accountability and transparency in policing practices in Chicago.
image source from：blockclubchicago
