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Congresswoman Escobar Again Calls for the VISIBLE Act

Washington, D.C., November 17, 2025 | Abbey Thompson (202-225-4831)

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar released the following statement after continued reporting that criminals have been impersonating US immigration officers to carry out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states: 

"Together with millions of Americans, I remain horrified and disgusted by the Trump Administration's hardline immigration enforcement actions carried out by masked ICE agents unwilling to identify themselves.
"Following confirmation from the FBI that there have been several instances of criminals impersonating ICE agents, I renew my calls to pass the VISIBLE Act and improve credibility and public safety."
Congresswoman Escobar introduced the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 in July with Representatives Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Judy Chu (CA-28), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-38) This bill would require immigration enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification during public enforcement actions.   

Specifically, the VISIBLE Act: 
  • Requires immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing; 
  • Prohibits non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and 
  • Requires DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. 
The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.  
Their original July press release can be found here.

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