Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), told CBS News that he personally is not in favor of ICE agents wearing masks during arrest operations. However, despite his personal view, he has decided to allow agents to continue wearing masks due to safety concerns for the officers.
“However, if that’s a tool that the men and women of ICE to keep themselves and their family safe, then I will allow it,” Lyons said during his televised sit-down interview with CBS.
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Concerns over impersonation and public perception
Those critical of ICE agents wearing masks say they worry about imposters posing as federal agents. Lyons was asked about the possible scenario, calling it “one of our biggest concerns. And I’ve said it publicly before, I’m not a proponent of the masks.”
“I do kind of push back on the criticism that they don’t identify themselves,” he added.
Sharp rise in attacks on ICE officers
The Department of Homeland Security announced earlier this week that attacks on ICE officers have increased by 830% compared to this same time last year. ICE agents are a central part of President Trump’s immigration agenda, specifically his promise to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Because of this high-profile role, ICE agents have become more visible and more targeted as they carry out immigration raids.
Lyons told CBS that federal immigration agents must make more community arrests because sanctuary policies prevent local authorities from notifying ICE when undocumented inmates are released.
“So you are seeing us out more, and I think there is more of a tension. The immigration mission is one of the forefront of this administration, so it is a lot of scrutiny and publicity to it,” Lyons said.
Use of government program data
He also confirmed that ICE intends to utilize personal data, including names, addresses and other identifying details, from government programs such as Medicaid, to assist in locating individuals suspected of residing in the United States without legal authorization.
He stated that, while the administration is prioritizing the apprehension of individuals with criminal records, anyone found to be residing in the United States without legal status will also be taken into custody.
More of Lyons’ interview is set to air on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday.
