1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support Senator Nate Blouin's proposed legislation that would prohibit immigration agents and other federal law enforcement officers from covering their faces while detaining people in Utah. This measure addresses both public safety and accountability concerns that affect all Utahns. The bill serves two critical purposes. First, it protects residents from imposters posing as federal agents to commit crimes. Recent cases in North Carolina and Philadelphia demonstrate this is not a theoretical concern but a real threat to public safety. When legitimate officers wear masks, they make it easier for criminals to exploit public trust in law enforcement. Second, facial identification ensures accountability when officers overstep their authority or injure people during enforcement actions. While ICE cites concerns about doxing, the proposed legislation includes reasonable exceptions for undercover officers and potentially for medical or tactical situations requiring masks. Officers would still carry badges and credentials. The question is whether the public should be able to see the face of someone detaining them or their neighbors. In a free society, those who exercise government power over individuals should be identifiable. The ACLU is collaborating with Senator Blouin on this measure, and legislative and policy counsel Ellie Menlove notes it could strengthen trust between law enforcement and communities. Similar legislation has been proposed by lawmakers in California, New York, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, reflecting growing bipartisan concern about this issue. I recognize questions exist about state authority over federal agencies. However, Utah has previously asserted its right to reject federal directives deemed unconstitutional, passing such legislation in 2024. If we can challenge federal overreach in other contexts, we should be able to establish basic transparency standards for federal law enforcement operating in our communities. I ask that you support this legislation when it comes before the Legislature in January and work to ensure it receives a fair hearing.