Oregon Moves to Ban Masked ICE Officers as Lawmakers Pass New Accountability Bill Amid Reports of Violent Arrests
Following the passage of House Bill 4138 on Friday, face coverings, such as masks, are now restricted for ICE and other officers.
Oregon Law Passed To Restrict ICE From Wearing Masks
Pushing back on the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 4138, known as the Law Enforcement Accountability Act, on Friday, by restricting the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers. Similar laws were passed in California, followed by other states.
Masked immigration officers have caused controversy in Oregon. Over 2,100 people have been arrested in the state since the start of Trump’s second term.
Agents have used violent tactics – smashing car windows, dragging people out of their vehicles, and breaking into the wrong homes with rifles drawn. U.S. citizens have also been mistakenly arrested.
The Bill passed in the House 36-19 on Feb. 24, followed by an amended version that passed the Senate 18-10 on Thursday and the House 34-18 on Friday. The new law applies to law enforcement agencies operating within the state of Oregon.
It requires policing agencies to adopt and publicly post policies restricting the use of facial coverings to “specific, limited exceptions, including undercover operations, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operations, fire protection, health and safety.”
Source: Oregon Legislature HB 4138 bill text and Governor Kotek legislative session summary
Dailytidings.com
Under the same Bill, which drew more than a dozen sponsors, on-duty officers must visibly display their names, badge numbers, and agencies while carrying out enforcement activities.
In addition, people harmed by violations may now seek a court injunction, and state and local public employees are prohibited from intentionally assisting federal authorities.
The Bill now heads to Governor Tina Kotek’s desk for signature.
Unmasking ICE Officers Will Reduce Robberies By ICE Impersonators
Aside from accountability, unmasking officers is also a public-safety issue. The FBI warned in 2025 that criminals were impersonating ICE agents to commit robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults, and masks make it harder for the public to tell real officers from fakes.
Reports have emerged of threats, robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults. Criminal actors are using ICE’s enhanced public profile and media coverage to their advantage to target vulnerable communities.
The Senate indicated that, after the FBI noted that masked criminals masquerading as ICE agents have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and assaults, guidance is necessary. The agency urged agents “to clearly identify themselves and to cooperate with verification requests.”