The following is a press statement from the Office of Lindsey Horvath:
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Holly J. Mitchell to support state and federal legislation aimed at ensuring accountability and visibility during immigration enforcement operations.
This action follows alarming reports of federal immigration agents conducting raids in Los Angeles County while wearing masks, balaclavas, and concealing badges and other identifiers. These practices have fueled fear in LA County and eroded trust in law enforcement. Concealing identity during enforcement not only circumvents transparency but also opens the door for criminal impersonation—such as a recent case in Huntington Park where an individual posing as an immigration agent was arrested while carrying an unlicensed firearm and fake documents.
“Trust between law enforcement and our communities has been lost, due to tactics being used in the current ICE raids throughout LA County. No one should open their door to masked agents and wonder who they are or whether they have the authority to act,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “These federal and state bills take a strong stand for transparency and safety, ensuring people know who is enforcing the law and that no one can exploit fear. This is about protecting residents, restoring confidence, and reinforcing the values of justice and fairness in Los Angeles County.”
“Federal immigration agents hiding behind face coverings and not showing any identification while conducting raids and grabbing residents off the street – without due process – only serves to endanger people, spread fear, and create chaos. State Senate Bills 627 and 805, along with the V.I.S.I.B.L.E. Act introduced by Senator Alex Padilla, are critical pieces of legislation from our colleagues who stand with LA County in saying we will not tolerate this,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “I’m proud that the Board of Supervisors is supporting these bills to demand transparency and accountability from federal immigration agents and to protect our communities.”
To address these concerns, the Board voted to support a series of bills that prohibit officers from concealing their identities and strengthen penalties for impersonating law enforcement:
- SB 627 (Wiener) – “No Secret Police Act”: Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks or disguises while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties.
- SB 805 (Pérez) – “No Vigilantes Act”: Expands laws against impersonating law enforcement and requires visible identification for officers.
- H.R. 4004 (Velázquez) – “No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act of 2025”: Prohibits ICE agents from wearing facial coverings, requires visible identification, and mandates DHS oversight.
- S. 2212 (Padilla) – “VISIBLE Act of 2025”: Requires immigration enforcement officers to display legible identification, bans non-medical facial coverings with limited exceptions, and enforces compliance through DHS procedures.
This motion will:
- Direct the County to support state bills SB 627 and SB 805.
- Direct the County to support federal bills H.R. 4004 and S. 2212.
- Instruct the Chief Executive Office’s Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations team to send five-signature letters of support for each bill to the respective authors.
