A new bill introduced by Democratic senators is drawing sharp criticism—and it’s putting Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer under increasing pressure from critics who want him removed from leadership.
The legislation, unveiled Tuesday, aims to prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from wearing face coverings while carrying out their duties, such as arrests and raids. It also seeks to require ICE personnel to clearly display their agency affiliation and either their name or badge number during operations.
The proposal was put forward by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), following the release of videos that show ICE agents apprehending migrants without visible identification. In many of these cases, officers appeared in plain clothes with their faces hidden, raising alarm among advocacy groups and some lawmakers.
Supporters of the bill say it’s about transparency. “Communities deserve to know who they’re dealing with,” said Senator Padilla, who made headlines last month when he was briefly detained during an attempt to confront DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference in Los Angeles. “This lack of clarity breeds fear, confusion, and mistrust—especially in communities already feeling the weight of immigration enforcement.”
The bill specifies that masks could only be worn by ICE agents if medically necessary, and that their federal agency—such as ICE or DHS—must be clearly marked on their attire at all times.
However, critics argue that removing the ability for agents to protect their identities could have dangerous consequences.
Many ICE officers have begun masking their faces following instances where they and their families were “doxxed”—meaning their personal information was exposed online—by individuals or groups angry about immigration enforcement. Threats have followed in several of these cases, creating a safety crisis for the agents involved.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has not publicly commented on the new proposal but has previously spoken against any changes to the current mask policy. “We had an operation where officers were doxxed,” Lyons recalled. “People were sharing their names and photos online along with threats to kill them or harm their families. I understand some may not like it, but I won’t risk my officers’ lives over politics.”
The timing of the bill has further intensified debate, as it comes on the heels of two recent shootings targeting ICE facilities in Texas. In response, Trump-era officials have urged Democrats to tone down their rhetoric around ICE and border enforcement.
Former ICE Director and current Fox News contributor Tom Homan spoke out against the legislation Tuesday, calling the move “reckless” and “irresponsible.” During a segment on The Story with Martha MacCallum, Homan said he had long warned about rising hostility leading to violence.
“I said months ago that this kind of inflammatory language—calling ICE agents Nazis or racists—would escalate,” he said. “Now, we’re seeing real-world consequences. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a result of messaging from elected officials.”
Homan pointed to statements by lawmakers such as Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), who has compared ICE to terrorist organizations, as examples of dangerous rhetoric. “When members of Congress attack federal agents, it emboldens others to do the same,” he said. “We’ve had to increase security at both ICE and Border Patrol facilities to the highest levels.”
As the debate heats up, calls for Schumer’s removal from leadership are gaining traction among those who view the bill as an attack on law enforcement. With the issue becoming a flashpoint in an already polarized immigration debate, it’s clear this battle is far from over.
