1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to pass and enforce legislation requiring ICE agents, Border Patrol agents, and other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification and prohibit the routine use of masks that conceal their faces while conducting enforcement activities. In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, transparency and accountability are fundamental. Federal law enforcement officers exercise significant authority, including the power to detain and arrest individuals. Clear, visible identification ensures that citizens can verify they are interacting with legitimate government officials and not impersonators. This protects both the public and the integrity of federal law enforcement. When officers conceal their faces and identifying information, it undermines public trust and makes meaningful accountability difficult. Without clear identification, citizens cannot report misconduct, and agencies cannot ensure appropriate oversight. Visible names, badges, and agency affiliation reinforce professionalism and demonstrate that officers are accountable for their actions. Allowing masked and unidentified enforcement personnel also creates unnecessary risks. It increases the potential for criminal impersonation and weakens public confidence in legitimate enforcement efforts. Clear statutory requirements, combined with meaningful enforcement and consequences for noncompliance, are necessary to ensure transparency and protect the public. Transparency ultimately strengthens law enforcement effectiveness. When officers are clearly identifiable, the public is more likely to cooperate and comply with lawful orders. This improves safety for both officers and the communities they serve. While narrow exceptions may be appropriate for genuine undercover operations or documented, specific threats to officer safety, these exceptions should be limited and clearly defined in law. I respectfully urge you to pass legislation establishing clear identification requirements for DHS enforcement officers and to ensure those requirements are fully enforced through oversight and accountability measures. Thank you for your service and your attention to this important issue.