NY AG James Pushes for ICE Identity Bill

New York – In a bold move to protect public safety and uphold accountability, New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in demanding Congress pass legislation to stop masked ICE agents from conducting civil enforcement actions without identifying themselves.

Attorney General James cited a disturbing trend where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been apprehending individuals in unmarked cars, often wearing masks, without revealing their identity or agency. This pattern, the coalition argues, not only evades accountability but also instills fear and confusion in communities.

In a letter to Congress, James stated, ‘It is deeply disturbing that masked agents can pull people off the streets in unmarked cars without ever identifying themselves as law enforcement.’ She emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for civil rights among all law enforcement agencies, including ICE.

The coalition also highlighted the risks associated with the current practices, noting potential safety concerns not only for individuals being apprehended but also for ICE agents and the public. They cited an increase in impersonation of immigration officers as another consequence of ICE’s lack of transparency.

While acknowledging that certain protective measures may be appropriate in limited cases, the coalition demanded clear requirements to prevent harm. They cited proposed legislation such as the ‘No Secret Police Act,’ the ‘No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act,’’ and the ‘ICE Badge Visibility Act’ as examples of necessary reforms.

Joining Attorney General James were attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

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