ICE officials, however, say agents have increasingly shielded their identities due to a rise in threats, harassment, and doxxing campaigns targeting them and their families—many of which have come from Democratic-aligned groups or activists.
The proposal, introduced by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), would require immigration officers to clearly display their agency affiliation—such as ICE or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—alongside either their name or badge number. The bill would also prohibit the use of face masks unless medically necessary.
“Members of the public often have no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials,” Padilla said in a statement. Padilla—who last month was briefly detained after attempting to rush DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Los Angeles—claimed the current policy fosters “confusion, fear, and mistrust, especially in communities already subjected to heightened immigration scrutiny.”
Padilla argued that the change would also improve officer safety by helping the public distinguish real agents from impersonators. Critics, however, warn the measure would make ICE personnel more vulnerable to harassment and violence.
ICE has not issued an official response to the legislation. However, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has previously defended the agency’s mask policy, citing the dangers of doxxing.
“We ran an operation where ICE officers were doxxed,” Lyons said. “People are out there taking photos of the names and faces of our agents and posting them online with death threats to their families. I’m not going to put my officers’ lives—or their families—on the line because some people don’t like immigration enforcement.”
The bill’s introduction comes as Trump administration officials call on Democrats to tone down their anti-ICE rhetoric. The warnings follow two separate shootings targeting ICE facilities in Texas over the past week.
Speaking on Fox News Tuesday, former ICE Director and current border czar Tom Homan said he predicted the rise in violence against federal immigration officers.
“I said over two months ago on your network—and on others—that if the rhetoric continues, comparing ICE agents and Border Patrol agents to terrorists, Nazis, and racists, it’s going to lead to deadly force,” Homan told host Martha MacCallum. “I’ve seen this recipe before. I knew it was coming, and I don’t think it’s over.”
Homan blamed “fringe groups” who feel emboldened by members of Congress openly attacking ICE.
“If a member of Congress can attack ICE, why can’t they? This is a well-planned attack, and it’s because of the rhetoric,” he said, noting that ICE and Border Patrol facilities have since heightened security protocols to the highest level.
Homan emphasized that despite threats and political opposition, immigration enforcement will not slow down.