Gonzalez, Chu, Kamlager-Dove, Escobar Introduce Bill to Require Clear Identification for Immigration Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Congresswomen Judy Chu (CA-28), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-38), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16), introduced the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025. This bill would require immigration enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification during public enforcement actions. 

As the Trump Administration continues to carry out its mass deportation agenda, there have been an increase in civil enforcement action involving officers wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing, and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, the general public often has no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials. 

By requiring immigration enforcement officers to clearly display identification, it will reduce widespread fear and confusion caused by unmarked and armed personnel detaining people during enforcement actions. The bill will also build trust between the public and immigration enforcement personnel, reduce miscommunication, and increase officer safety and credibility.  

“We’re living through a time when Americans cannot confirm whether armed and masked individuals are law enforcement officers or criminals taking advantage of this lack of transparency,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “This is a common sense fix to an issue that must be corrected to increase the safety of both the general public and our immigration enforcement personnel.”  

“In Trump’s America, immigrants are being snatched off the streets by ICE agents wearing plain clothes, face masks, and no proper identification. This isn’t about officer safety—it’s an authoritarian tactic meant to sow fear and distrust within our communities,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Regardless of where you were born, every single person in this country has the fundamental right to know who is detaining them and why. ICE’s lawlessness must end now—the VISIBLE Act is a commonsense measure to increase transparency and trust between immigration enforcement and the communities they serve.” 

“Americans across the country have witnessed masked, armed, and unidentified individuals apprehending people, sometimes violently,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Lack of any meaningful credentials by ICE agents has even inspired criminals to easily impersonate law enforcement in an effort to deceive their victims and the public. The VISIBLE Act is common-sense legislation to help ensure both officer and public safety." 

“Donald Trump’s mass ICE raids have indiscriminately targeted entire communities, undermined every person’s right to due process, and greenlighted ICE agents and immigration enforcement to act with impunity. We saw this happen in front of our eyes in my district in Pasadena, California where masked ICE agents targeted community members, including those on the way to assist in Eaton Fire recovery, brandished guns at innocent bystanders, and refused to identify themselves. That is why I am proud to join Representatives Gonzalez, Kamlager Dove, and Escobar in introducing the VISIBLE Act, which would prohibit all immigration enforcement officers from wearing non-medical face coverings, require them to display their name or badge number and the agency they represent, and require DHS to implement disciplinary procedures for agents’ violations of the law. All Americans deserve to know who is exercising federal immigration authority in their communities. Immigrant communities and their rights deserve to be upheld and protected, not decimated,” said Congresswoman Chu. 

Specifically, the VISIBLE Act: 

· Requires immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing; 

· Prohibits non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and 

· Requires DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. 

The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.  

The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (CA) and Senator Cory Booker (NJ).  

Read the full bill text here. 

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