Hakeem Jeffries calls to unmask ICE brokers as Antifa releases hit lists of federal officers
Jeffries posted a video on X on Saturday, accusing Republicans of using taxpayer dollars to “kill America citizens.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to remove their masks, despite ongoing targeting of federal immigration officers by far-left activists who have identified agents and circulated their images publicly.
Jeffries posted a video on X on Saturday, accusing Republicans of using taxpayer dollars to “kill America citizens,” a reference to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Both Good and Pretti were anti-ICE activists who had interfered with immigration enforcement operations before being shot.
In the video, Jeffries criticized ICE agents for wearing masks during enforcement actions and said, “Masks off. Badges on. Stop the killing.”
Democratic lawmakers have increasingly taken issue with ICE agents covering their faces during operations. In California, lawmakers passed legislation last year prohibiting immigration agents from wearing masks, requiring officers to remain identifiable by name or badge number and allowing masks only when “absolutely necessary.” California Governor Gavin Newsom said the measure was enacted because ICE had “wrongfully arrested citizens, concealed their identities, and undermined transparency.” The law is currently not being enforced, however, as it is being reviewed by a judge.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended the use of masks, citing a surge in threats and violence directed at ICE officers. In a statement released last week, DHS said ICE agents have experienced an 8,000 percent increase in death threats and more than a 1,300 percent increase in assaults. According to DHS, officers have received messages from activists expressing hope that agents or their family members would die.
At the same time, far-left activists have openly engaged in doxxing campaigns against federal immigration officers, including posting photographs of agents’ faces in public spaces to help activists identify them. In Oregon, Antifa has reportedly circulated a hit list of Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officers outside a federal building that has been repeatedly targeted by far-left activists, displaying agents’ images as a “Wanted” poster and labeling them domestic terrorists.