In response to alarming reports of masked, unidentified federal agents abducting immigrants on New York streets.
A coalition of elected officials, led by Assemblymember Tony Simone, has introduced the Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act.
The legislation, modeled after California’s SB 627, attempts to prohibit the use of masks and concealment by law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, during operations in New York State.
The MELT Act would require all law enforcement professionals, including ICE agents, to wear visible identification, such as a badge, nameplate, or other clear markings. It would also restrict the wearing of face coverings during public contacts, addressing concerns raised by campaigners who argue that such practices impede transparency and accountability.
“Our communities, immigrant and not, are living in complete and utter fear,” said Assemblymember Tony Simone in a press statement. “Masked agents acting under the direction of Donald Trump are entering our workplaces, courthouses, and communities. They are disappearing people to extranational prisons with no due process. What is to stop vigilantes from taking up these same tactics? This is flat out un-American. The MELT Act will restore accountability over these masked vigilantes.”
The bill comes amid an increased chorus of concern about ICE operations and tactics. Lawmakers and advocates claim that the agents’ anonymity fosters abuse and makes it practically impossible for the public to seek redress.
“Donald Trump’s immigration policies are, every day, tearing families apart and ripping the fabric of our nation’s rule of law,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in the press statement. “In carrying out the Trump Administration’s cruel and unlawful detention and deportation policies, ICE agents frequently act with utter disregard for the rights of New Yorkers, and by allowing these plainclothes ICE agents to remain masked, we are shielding the agency from the accountability necessary to confront real threats to our democracy. That’s why I am proud to support Assemblymember Simone’s bill to prevent ICE agents from operating in the shadows.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine warned that such measures could lead to abuse, while Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez linked the MELT Act to her own federal bill, the No Masks for ICE Act.
The MELT Act has received widespread support from state and municipal officials, including Assembly members Jo Anne Simon, Grace Lee, Dana Levenberg, and Micah Lasher. All of the Assembly members referenced previous events in which ICE officials abducted individuals who were wearing plain clothing and lacked identification, which caused anxiety and chaos.
As long as ICE violates our laws and operates in secret, we will continue to defend every New Yorker’s rights. The MELT Act aims to restore confidence, defend civil liberties, and ensure that law enforcement serves the people rather than threatening them. “Thank you to Assemblymember Tony Simone for introducing this critical legislation and standing up to protect our communities,” Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon stated in a press release.
