Legislation in Pennsylvania seeks to restrict the use of masks by law enforcement to conceal their identities.
Pennsylvania Pushes for Transparency in Law Enforcement: "No Secret Police" Bill Proposed
Pennsylvania is considering a new piece of legislation that would require law enforcement officers, including those from ICE, Homeland Security, and Border Patrol, to unmask during official operations and wear identifiable uniforms or badges[1]. Known as the "No Secret Police" or "Unmask ICE" bill, this proposed legislation aims to promote accountability, transparency, and public trust.
The bill, which has garnered support from Democratic lawmakers such as State Senators Nikil Saval and Amanda Cappelletti, prohibits officers from wearing masks or facial coverings that obscure their identities, except for exceptions such as protection against airborne diseases or for undercover operations[1][2][3][4][5]. Law enforcement must wear uniforms with badges displaying identification numbers and departments, and violations would be subject to both criminal and civil penalties[1][2][3][4][5].
This legislative action aligns with similar initiatives in states like California, New York, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, driven by public concern about masked immigration officers conducting raids, which have caused fear, confusion, and incidents of impersonation by criminals[2][5].
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Joe Webster, believes that increased ICE activity is causing the problem, as ICE agents are creating contact with the public[6]. This concern was echoed by Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, who recently lamented that ICE agents "show up completely masked" and residents might not even know if they are law enforcement[7].
The bill's sponsors are working to ensure appropriate exceptions for undercover work, a concern addressed by ICE's acting director, Todd Lyons, who stated that ICE agents might use masks to keep themselves and their families safe[8]. However, the bill has faced criticism from some quarters, with ICE and the Philadelphia police commissioner's office declining to comment on the proposed legislation[9].
The proposed bill comes amidst a backdrop of increased violence against law enforcement officers. ICE recently claimed an 830% increase in assaults on ICE agents since last year[10]. This surge in violence, along with incidents such as the recent shooting of two lawmakers in Minnesota and a robbery in Mayfair where a man allegedly impersonated a federal immigration officer, have added to concerns about the need for transparency in law enforcement operations[11][12].
As of August 2025, the bill had been introduced for co-sponsorship but had not yet been formally submitted for introduction[3][4]. The legislative status in other states beyond California, New York, Massachusetts, and Tennessee remains unclear, suggesting a growing national movement for unmasking law enforcement agents during operations.
References: [1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2] [3] [News Source 3] [4] [News Source 4] [5] [News Source 5] [6] [News Source 6] [7] [News Source 7] [8] [News Source 8] [9] [News Source 9] [10] [News Source 10] [11] [News Source 11] [12] [News Source 12]
- The "No Secret Police" or "Unmask ICE" bill, currently under consideration in Pennsylvania, is a piece of policy-and-legislation aimed at increasing transparency within law enforcement, and falls under the politics category.
- This general-news story from Pennsylvania discusses a proposed bill that requires law enforcement officers from various agencies to wear identifiable uniforms or badges, signifying a push towards accountability and public trust, aligning with similar initiatives in other states.
