Democrats Continue Demand for ICE to Identify Themselves After FBI Agrees and Warns of Imposter Agent Criminals
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(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel to demand a briefing on the reported FBI memo urging Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other law enforcement officials to “adequately identify themselves” when engaging with the public. Recently, criminals have capitalized on ICE’s dangerous deployment of masked agents across the country by masquerading as immigration agents while engaging in violent crimes such as robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assault. ICE agents not identifying themselves and shielding their identities is a public safety threat. “The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must brief us immediately on the threats posed by ICE’s failure to identify themselves and how DHS will implement the FBI’s recommendations,” the Members wrote. For months, Democrats have been sounding the alarm on the dangers of agents wearing masks and otherwise not identifying themselves in Congressional hearings, oversight letters, and legislation. Now, the FBI is echoing the very concerns that Democratic Members have been warning about. “ICE’s lack of transparency is eroding public trust and creating opportunities for imposters to exploit vulnerable communities and conduct criminal activity. It is time to end the dangerous practices of ICE agents, to prevent imposters and more violent crimes,” the Members added. # # # |
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