Connecticut Lawmakers Support Federal Push to End Masked ICE Operations

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut legislators have joined a growing chorus of voices urging the federal government to ban the use of masks and concealed identification by immigration enforcement agents, citing transparency, public trust, and constitutional protections.

At a press conference held Thursday on the Capitol steps, a coalition of state senators and representatives endorsed the proposed “No Masks for ICE” Act, a federal bill currently under review by the House Oversight Committee. The legislation would require all federal immigration agents—particularly those operating in civilian areas—to wear clear visual identification, including full names, agency patches, and badge numbers.

“We are seeing deeply concerning tactics used in our communities,” said State Senator Eliza Santos (D-New Haven). “Agents dressed in military gear, with faces covered and names hidden, are detaining people in broad daylight. That’s unacceptable in a democracy.”

 
State and Federal Partnership in Focus
Though immigration enforcement is federally controlled, state lawmakers in Connecticut argue they have a responsibility to speak out when practices affect local residents. Several immigrant advocacy groups have shared accounts of masked ICE agents operating in cities such as Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Hartford.

“We are not trying to interfere with federal jurisdiction,” said Rep. Jordan Malik (D-Stamford). “But when our constituents are afraid to leave their homes because they don’t know who is knocking at their door, it becomes a state issue, too.”

The proposed federal law would standardize enforcement appearance across agencies and prohibit agents from wearing face coverings during civil immigration operations, except in limited circumstances involving imminent physical threats.

 
National Backdrop: ICE Anonymity Under Fire
Connecticut’s support comes amid a national reckoning over ICE tactics. Reports from across the country have highlighted an uptick in masked raids, anonymous detentions, and the use of unmarked vehicles to apprehend individuals with pending immigration cases.

Civil rights organizations such as the ACLU and the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund have argued that these practices undermine trust and obscure accountability.

“People have the right to know who is detaining them and why,” said Kate Williams, a constitutional law expert at the University of Connecticut. “We don’t allow anonymous policing in other contexts. Immigration enforcement should not be the exception.”

 
Legislative Momentum Builds
The “No Masks for ICE” bill, first introduced in May, gained renewed momentum following public outcry over recent detentions in Texas and California involving masked agents outside courtrooms and workplaces. Connecticut is now one of six states where lawmakers have voiced formal support.

The federal legislation also calls for:

• Documentation of every enforcement action involving face coverings
• Public reporting requirements on enforcement locations
• Mandatory body cameras during civil detentions
• Supporters argue these measures will not only protect civil liberties but also restore public confidence in immigration agencies currently viewed with suspicion by many communities.

 
Local Impact and Political Alignment
Connecticut is home to nearly 500,000 immigrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented individuals. Lawmakers say that for many of these residents, fear of ICE has escalated—driven not only by federal policy but also by how enforcement is carried out.

“There’s a real difference between being arrested by a uniformed officer with a name badge versus someone in black tactical gear who won’t even say where they’re taking you,” said State Rep. Noor Alvi (D-Hartford). “That’s not law enforcement. That’s intimidation.”

 
Next Steps
Connecticut lawmakers say they will continue pushing for reforms both locally and federally. A state-level resolution supporting the federal bill is expected to be introduced in the General Assembly in August.

In the meantime, immigrant rights groups are hosting “Know Your Rights” workshops and advising residents to document any encounters with ICE agents, especially those who do not display credentials.

As the national debate continues, Connecticut’s stance may help set the tone for other states seeking to balance federal authority with constitutional accountability.