"As more cities and states prepare for the next wave of immigration crackdowns from the Trump administration, San Jose Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Rosemary Kamei, David Cohen and Pamela Campos have authored a memo set to be heard at Wednesday's Rules Committee that directs the city attorney's office to draft an ordinance that prevents all law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks or concealing their faces, and requires them to wear visible identification."
"Every San Josean should be able to trust that when an officer approaches them, (they) know exactly who that person is and which agency they represent, Campos told The Mercury News. This ordinance requiring the unmasking of law enforcement is about transparency, accountability, and public safety. My District 2 neighbors are making clear that concealing identities already undermines trust, strips away civil liberties and sets a dangerous precedent."
"The increasing number of ICE agents and other law enforcement personnel covering their faces to prevent their identification has led to a vocal backlash from critics demanding accountability, and representatives at the local, state and federal levels have proposed legislation on the issue, citing the harms they say have been caused by masked federal agents snatching people off the streets during raids and the growing number of reports of ICE impersonations."
San Jose councilmembers authored a memo directing the city attorney to draft an ordinance that bars all law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from concealing their faces and requires visible identification. The proposal aims to ensure that residents know who approaches them and which agency officers represent. Officials cited transparency, accountability, and public safety concerns, saying masked officers undermine trust, strip civil liberties and risk abuses of power. Rising use of masks by ICE and other personnel has prompted local, state and federal lawmakers to propose measures, including the VISIBLE Act to impose visible identification standards on immigration-based law enforcement.
#law-enforcement-identification #immigration-enforcement #transparency-and-accountability #civil-liberties
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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