KQED's Forum Why ICE Agents Mask Themselves
Nov 18, 2025
Nick Miroff, a Staff Writer for The Atlantic specializing in immigration and border issues, discusses the troubling trend of ICE agents wearing masks during enforcement operations. He highlights how these masks symbolize the aggressive tactics of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign. Miroff elaborates on public trust concerns, the impact of anonymity on accountability, and the implications of a new California law banning masks for federal agents. The conversation raises critical questions about identification, impersonation risks, and the future of such practices.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Quiet Casework To Public Raids
- ICE traditionally conducted targeted, administrative enforcement and case management rather than public street raids.
- The Trump administration's mass-deportation push transformed operations into high-profile public actions that encouraged masking.
Masks As Personal Protection
- Agents say masks protect them from doxxing, harassment, and viral videos of missteps.
- Fear for family safety and public backlash drove rapid adoption of face coverings.
Anonymity Erodes Accountability
- Veteran ICE officials view masks as damaging to public trust and accountability.
- They warn anonymity can increase misuse of force and reduce restraint among officers.