Slate Daily Feed What Next | Why Is ICE Masked Up?
Jun 30, 2025
In this discussion, columnist Philip Bump from The Washington Post and former ICE Assistant Director Scott Shuchart dive into the controversial decision by ICE agents to wear masks and plainclothes during arrests. They explore how this shift endangers agents, erodes public trust, and echoes past protests. Bump highlights the normalization of such practices, while Shuchart provides insights on accountability and the implications for community safety. The conversation challenges listeners to consider the impact of concealed identities on law enforcement and immigration policies.
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Rise of Masked ICE Agents
- ICE agents routinely wear masks and plainclothes during arrests, a practice that has dramatically increased in recent years.
- This shift signals a deeper trend of law enforcement concealing identities even in public operations, changing public perception.
ICE's Expanded Arrest Scope
- ICE has shifted from arresting mostly those with criminal records to sweeping up many without criminal charges.
- This expansion likely fuels the agency's desire to conceal identities to avoid accountability.
Unclear Justification for Masks
- DHS claims ICE masks up due to increased assaults and doxing against officers.
- However, the connection between masks and these threats is unproven and disputed.