Rep. Friedman announces legislation that would require ICE agents to wear visible identification

U.S. Citizen Arturo Hermosillo said he was arbitrarily detained by federal agents during an anti-immigrant operation on June 19 in Pacoima.

After being held for nearly four hours and released without charges, the young man highlighted a characteristic of the operation: All the agents involved in his arrest wore face coverings and plain clothes and did not display their badge numbers.

The lack of transparency on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the raids has become evident, which is why New York lawmaker Nadya Velazquez is promoting an initiative to require officers not to wear masks during operations.

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) announced that she is helping lead federal legislation that would require ICE agents to wear visible identification and prohibit the use of face coverings during operations, except when necessary to address specific safety concerns. 

“The reason is that people in this community are afraid. They see people who are not wearing uniforms, carry very large guns with their faces masks on, grabbing people out the streets, some of them are U.S. citizens,” said Friedman.

Freidman said people are not given any indication that the agents are actual federal law enforcement to make sure the actions they are taking are legal or if people are imitating because they do not carry any badges or any identification. People also want to be able to recognize enforcement, at any level, if they feel they violated civil rights. Without having an ID it's impossible for them to have accountability.

“Although raids are carried out fairly quickly, it is possible to identify those involved… A regular arrest is also very quick, but they have badges and their names are visible,” the Congresswoman said.

The specific purpose is to prohibit ICE agents from covering their faces during enforcement actions, except where medically necessary or required for immediate safety concerns and require ICE agents to wear clothing that clearly displays their name and agency affiliation during arrests or enforcement operations, said Friedman.

People are impersonating federal agents

Nikki Perez, Mayor of Burbank, said she supports the federal initiative presented by Rep. Velazquez, because since Burbank is a small city, it is important that those participating in operations identify themselves.

She said the community is fearful and has doubts about whether federal agents are legitimate or impersonators trying to do harm, as there have already been cases where civilians impersonate officers.

“This federal bill from the congresswoman was just introduced, and although changes are expected in Congress, I am asking representatives, regardless of political party, to pass it,” she said. “In Burbank, everyone, regardless of immigration status, is afraid of those who take people away. There are precedents of people trying to impersonate a federal agent.”

The mayor added that Burbank residents have already expressed their fear of going out on the streets, and that's why the police department is training them on how to follow up when people call to report a possible raid.

"There are already people impersonating federal agents, harassing our youth on the streets. If you are from Burbank and experience a situation where a federal agent doesn't identify themselves, call 911, since the police in Burbank do not participate in immigration raids," she said.

“On the other hand, if people call us about a real raid, we inform them that although we are aware of what is happening, we will not interfere with any operation. We do not have the legal power to stop a legitimate ICE operation, but we are not going to help either, since our police chief understands that is not his job,” Perez said. 

Just as Arturo Hermosillo had previously reported on June 19 when he was arrested, this Tuesday, Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman confirmed that, “During the raids, ICE agents have conducted raids across our city that have been disruptive, cruel and frankly unconstitutional. Many of these raids have been led by agents in plain clothes, wearing no identification, refusing to show a badge and even covering up their faces.”