A group of Senate Democrats are pressing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the masking of officers not in uniform during its operations.
In the letter, sent to acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, the group of Democrats argued the masks and lack of uniforms have led to chaos in Los Angeles as agents have looked to make arrests. The letter also accused ICE of seeking to meet “arbitrary quotas” set by Stephen Miller, a key adviser to President Trump widely seen as demanding huge increases in ICE detentions.
“We write regarding the apparent widespread violations of historical norms and traditions in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) operations in Los Angeles and across the country by engaging in law enforcement activities—including arrests—without wearing identifying uniforms and while masked,” the lawmakers wrote.
“As ICE engages in unprecedented numbers of immigration raids across the country, reportedly in response to arbitrary quotas set by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, it is crucial that ICE personnel not engage in conduct that is all but guaranteed to sow chaos and confusion and put law enforcement officers in danger,” the group added.
The Monday letter is signed by Democratic Sens. Alex Padilla (Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Adam Schiff (Calif.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Patty Murray (Wash.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Peter Welch (Vt.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Tina Smith (Minn.), Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.).
The Hill has reached out to ICE and the White House for comment.
Since his return to office a few months ago, Trump’s administration has cracked down intensely on immigration, resulting in backlash from Democrats and those on the American left.
In their letter, the group of Democrats questioned ICE on its “policies with regards to wearing masks while on duty” and its “policies with regards to wearing uniforms or other identifiable markers while on duty.”
“Storming courthouses, grabbing students off the street, raiding places of work, and sweeping through restaurants at prime dining hours are in and of themselves tactics clearly designed to engender fear and sow chaos in the population,” the senators said.
“Doing so in plainclothes, with no identification of their name or agency, while wearing a mask designed to obscure the agent’s face, represents a clear attempt to compound that fear and chaos – and to avoid accountability for agents’ actions.”
When reached for comment about the letter and the comments in it about Miller, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “heroic ICE officers are simply doing their jobs and enforcing federal immigration law, with the utmost professionalism.”
“Dangerous smears and misinformation from elected Democrats radicalize their supporters to violently attack and obstruct federal law enforcement,” Jackson added. “This letter is just another attempt to demonize law enforcement officers. Because of comments from the left, assaults against ICE agents have increased by nearly 700% this year.”
Updated at 8:06 p.m. EDT.
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