Overview

• Massachusetts Rep. James Hawkins introduced a bill on July 10 that would make unauthorized masking by law enforcement during public duties a misdemeanor and require officers to display their name or badge number
• New York City lawmakers led by Comptroller Brad Lander rolled out a similar measure to bar ICE agents from concealing identities, arguing masks are used to intimidate asylum seekers and immigrants
• Senators Alex Padilla and Cory Booker’s VISIBLE Act awaits Senate debate and would prohibit federal agents from wearing masks while mandating visible display of name, badge number and agency
• Department of Homeland Security figures show assaults on ICE officers have risen by 700 percent year-over-year, a spike ICE and DHS cite to justify mask use as protection against doxxing and violent threats
• Critics including Rep. Eric Swalwell and Border Patrol union chief Paul Perez are divided on whether unmasking will enhance accountability or put officers’ safety at greater risk