Kaine, Warner introduce bill to bar ICE agents from wearing masks

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are introducing legislation to make sure ICE agents show their faces. 

Under the legislation, ICE agents wouldn’t be allowed to wear masks unless they are participating in an undercover operation. 

Plus, agents would be required to identify themselves as ICE agents when making an arrest. 

Kaine said the idea for the bill came after maskless agents made arrests at the Albemarle County Courthouse without identifying themselves. 

“I can’t go on the Senate floor wearing a bag over my head and introduce a bill,” Warner said.

Kaine said armed ICE agents walking into courthouses without identification creates serious safety concerns for both law enforcement and the public. 

“Somebody comes in in a mask, not identifying themselves, brandishing weapons possibly, grabbing people, telling them they need to be detained, it raises all kinds of security challenges in crowded courthouses,” Kaine said.

Kaine added that on the streets, agents' lack of identification could confuse citizens. 

“If you’re not identified, again, you don't know whether it’s a kidnapping attempt. We just saw legislators in Minnesota assassinated by somebody pretending to be a police officer, and wearing a security uniform,” Kaine said. 

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security told 8News that ICE agents “always have credentials visible and clearly announce who they are.”