Legal advocates and attorneys general argue practice poses accountability issues and contributes to a climate of fear
The head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) said on Sunday that he will continue allowing the controversial practice of his officers wearing masks over their faces during their arrest raids.
As Donald Trump has ramped up his unprecedented effort to deport immigrants around the country, Ice officers have become notorious for wearing masks to approach and detain people, often with force. Legal advocates and attorneys general have argued that it poses accountability issues and contributes to a climate of fear.
On Sunday, Todd Lyons, the agency’s acting director, was asked on CBS Face the Nation about imposters exploiting the practice by posing as immigration officers. “That’s one of our biggest concerns. And I’ve said it publicly before, I’m not a proponent of the masks,” Lyons said.
In a way it’s understandable… if there is a chance that you might be targeted for doing your job then wearing a mask is the right choice to protect yourself and your family.
I mean, it’s not THAT uncommon: SEK and other more “militarized” police units in Germany also wear masks during raids for the same reason.
ICE wishes they were SWAT. But they’re not out there defusing bombs or breaking up a gun rings, they’re chasing farm hands and abducting abuelas. So yeah, they’re scared but not of the people they are going after.
If police did their job correctly, they would not be afraid of the community they serve.
You seem to misunderstand what the police’s job is
Perhaps they would not be afraid of the community… but what about organized crime?
They’ve never needed masks until now.
They’re afraid of the public because their actions are shameful and “just following orders” didn’t protect the Nazis last time.
Continue to justify this, your comment will someday be viewed in the same way they spoke of gestapo supporters
You deny that other police forces mask up to prevent harm for themself or their families?
In which world does ‘those other assholes do it’ count as an ethical defense?
sigh
Seriously. Interact with this idea a little bit and see if it stands up to logic.