In a recent incident that underscores the ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander returned to a Manhattan immigration courthouse, having witnessed what he described as a “deeply dehumanizing process”. Lander had previously been arrested while escorting an immigrant facing detention by federal agents, an experience that reflects a broader trend in immigration enforcement practices.
Witnesses reported seeing masked, non-uniformed ICE agents detaining individuals without providing reasons for their removal, actions that starkly contrast with traditional law enforcement protocols. John Sandweg, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Barack Obama, noted that he never encountered officers in masks during his ride-alongs, emphasizing this tactic’s recent development.
The practice of federal officers covering their faces—often with masks and without visible identification—has been framed as a necessary measure to protect agents from potential retaliation following their public identification and harassment. However, critics argue that these practices erode accountability, lessen transparency, and provoke fears of excessive government power. Sen. John Hoffman from Minnesota echoed these sentiments, referencing the alarming similarities between ICE’s tactics and historical oppressive regimes like the Gestapo.
Currently, there are legislative efforts underway in states like California, where lawmakers proposed a bill to mandate that law enforcement officers must identify themselves by showing their faces during operations. This is aimed at increasing transparency and restoring public trust amid claims of “secret police” tactics attributed to the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Despite the noise from advocacy groups, ICE officials have maintained that the safety of their workforce is paramount, stating that agents can now navigate high-pressure environments with some level of anonymity. However, many remain skeptical, asserting that such measures can lead to unjust detentions which often lack clarity on the authority and legitimacy of the agents involved.
Under President Trump, enforcement actions have not only escalated but have also targeted individuals who do not necessarily pose criminal threats—a stark departure from past immigration policies which were primarily focused on national security risks. Recent data suggests that more than 75% of individuals detained by ICE in fiscal year 2025 have had no prior convictions other than immigration-related offenses.
As debates on policing and accountability continue to unfold, Lander’s experience and the pattern of masked immigration enforcement reveal the complexities and ramifications of Trump’s immigration policy, raising critical questions about justice, safety, and the rights of immigrants in America today.