July 9, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement by requiring officers to display visible identification during public interactions.

The VISIBLE Act of 2025 — short for Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement — seeks to address what Padilla described as an “alarming trend” of unidentifiable immigration agents operating in public spaces under the Trump administration’s revived enforcement policies. The legislation would mandate that federal immigration officers and deputized personnel visibly display their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number at all times during enforcement actions.

The proposal comes amid mounting concerns about masked, plainclothes officers detaining individuals in public without identifying themselves, a tactic that has reportedly intensified in Los Angeles County. Between June 6 and June 22, more than 1,600 immigrants were arrested by officers — many lacking visible identification — according to local reports. Incidents described by lawmakers include unmarked federal vehicles seen near Dodger Stadium and masked agents detaining individuals at a car wash in Bell and pointing firearms at pedestrians in Pasadena.

Padilla said, “When federal immigration agents show up and pull someone off the street in plainclothes with their face obscured and no visible identification, it only escalates tensions and spreads fear while shielding federal agents from basic accountability.”

Under the VISIBLE Act, officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as other deputized agents, would be required to wear clear identification that remains visible even when wearing tactical gear. The bill also prohibits non-medical face coverings that obscure identity unless justified by environmental conditions or authorized covert operations.

Additionally, the legislation directs DHS to implement internal disciplinary measures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through the department’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

The announcement was accompanied by a letter to ICE led by Padilla and signed by 13 other Democratic senators, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Mazie Hirono, Raphael Warnock, and Ron Wyden. The lawmakers criticized the agency for engaging in what they called “theatrical enforcement” at locations such as courthouses and restaurants. They also requested a review of ICE’s policies on the use of masks and uniforms.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Rainbow Crosswalk at Pulse Memorial Could Be Removed Under New Federal Rules

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Trump Administration’s Program Urges States to Eliminate “Non-safety” Road Art, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a bizarre order for...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

July 4 ICE Raid on WeHo Car Wash Ends in Deportation of Local Resident

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Longtime West Hollywood Worker with Family’s Rent Money Taken in Raid A group of masked men and women, without official...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...

Newhart Family Lists Beloved Comedy Legend’s Townhouse in Century City

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Late TV Star’s Custom Townhouse, Filled With Memories and Holiday Cheer  A luxurious Century Woods townhouse once home to comedy...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...