Immigration raids conducted by masked federal agents have created what Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described as a “reign of terror” in the city, according to an interview aired on ABC. The fear of arrest and deportation has led many immigrants in Southern California, regardless of their legal status, to remain in their homes, missing work, church services, and significant family events.
Mayor Bass criticized the practice of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing black masks, stating that it exacerbates the fear surrounding these encounters. She noted that the sight of masked agents exiting unmarked vehicles with rifles can appear threatening, likening it to a violent kidnapping.
In a letter to Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, 14 Democratic senators expressed concern that the actions of agents detaining individuals while masked and in plain clothes contribute to a climate of fear and chaos, while also avoiding accountability for their actions.
In response, Mr. Lyons stated during an interview that he does not promote the use of masks but will allow agents to wear them if it is necessary for their safety. He mentioned that the masks help protect agents from being doxxed, or having their personal information exposed online, and noted that agents can still be identified by markings on their clothing.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has reported a significant increase in attacks against its agents, citing an 830 percent rise in assaults compared to the previous year. Mr. Lyons attributed the heightened visibility of ICE agents to the aggressive immigration enforcement policies of the Trump administration, while also blaming elected officials for inciting hostility towards ICE.
Mayor Bass expressed doubt regarding the claimed threats to ICE agents, questioning the likelihood of violence from ordinary citizens. Her office has also filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records on how federal agents are instructed to identify themselves.
The issue of identity concealment by law enforcement has sparked political debate nationwide. In New York, Republican leaders in a Long Island county have prohibited the wearing of face coverings in public, except for police officers collaborating with ICE. Conversely, Democratic lawmakers in New York and California are proposing legislation to prevent law enforcement from obscuring their identities while on duty.