# Why are ICE agents masked? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [June 13, 2025, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575 "2025-06-13T09:42:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/21 "2025-06-13T19:19:23Z")
As I posted in another thread, Orwell, 1984: “Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/22 "2025-06-13T19:41:11Z")
The 'real" answer is for safety for their families. [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/los-angeles-ice-raids-fuel-controversy-over-masked-agents-2025-06-09/](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/los-angeles-ice-raids-fuel-controversy-over-masked-agents-2025-06-09/) _Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups say masks are an attempt by ICE agents to escape accountability for their actions and are aimed at frightening immigrants as they carry out Republican President [Donald Trump’s](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/donald-trump/) directive to crack down on illegal immigration._ _Republicans and ICE officials assert the face coverings are necessary to protect agents and their families from being targeted by “doxxing,” in which their home addresses and personal information are posted online._ _“People are out there taking photos of the names, their faces, and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves,” Todd Lyons, the acting ICE chief, said last week._ Both answers have truth to them. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/23 "2025-06-13T19:53:50Z")
Then at least they should be wearing uniforms, with badges and badge numbers, and using marked SUVs. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/24 "2025-06-13T20:02:17Z")
I tried to find some good pictures of ICE agents at the protests, but was unable to do so. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/25 "2025-06-13T20:18:13Z")
Is there any evidence that ICE agents are more at risk of being doxxed than other LEOs? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/26 "2025-06-13T22:11:01Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Both answers have truth to them. No, they don’t. Let’s see evidence to back up the claim that “People are out there taking photos of the names, their faces, and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves.” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/27 "2025-06-13T23:13:32Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > No, they don’t. Let’s see evidence to back up the claim that “People are out there taking photos of the names, their faces, and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves.” > **[ICE agents ‘doxed’ on social media, wear masks after receiving death threats,...](https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/ice-agents-doxed-social-media-wear-masks-after-receiving-death-threats-director-says/2NIC6OZ6XRGMXDRYLWLIKJ66GU/)** > > Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that federal immigration officers have been ‘doxed’ on social media and wear masks while on duty and making arrests after the officers, and their families, have received death threats. > **[Public database of ICE agents' personal details sparks backlash](https://www.newsweek.com/ice-agents-personal-details-database-los-angeles-protests-deportation-2083277)** > > A spokesperson for the organization which made the database told Newsweek "People carrying out violent state policy should not be protected by anonymity." _AHomeland Security spokesperson has denounced as “thugs” an “independent media group” which is creating a database of Immigration and Customs Enforcement ([ICE](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/ice)) agents, and asking people to report officers or collaborators._ _In an email shared with Newsweek, a spokesperson for The Crustian Daily, the group which has created the list said: “The ICE List exists because we believe the people carrying out violent state policy should not be protected by anonymity.”_ _Newsweek has reached out to ICE via email for comment._ _## Why It Matters_ _Such a list poses ethical issues around privacy because it risks exposing personal details without consent. It could also make people who work for the government potential targets for attack, and could make it more likely that ICE agents will wear masks at all times during arrests_ ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/28 "2025-06-13T23:24:11Z")
Because hoods and bedsheets are passe? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/29 "2025-06-13T23:35:02Z")
I totally agree, actually. People carrying out violent state policy should not be protected by anonymity. If they want to shield their families, maybe they should try, I dunno, not being fascists. Not a hot take I thought I’d ever find myself making, but the stakes really are that high. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/30 "2025-06-14T00:24:28Z")
I wonder if (when) a person being grabbed by “unmarked” ice agent in a “gun toting” state mistakes an ICE grab for an abduction and a shooing breaks out. I don’t believe that scenario is at all far fetched. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/31 "2025-06-14T00:41:18Z")
Could be a woman being grabbed, she screams she’s being kidnapped, and armed bystanders decide to be heroes. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/32 "2025-06-14T01:01:10Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > The scary part of that is that it means any random civilian can put on some dark clothes, a mask, a sidearm (2A) and to really make it look official, stick some zip ties/riot cuffs in their back pocket and start grabbing people off the street. Can? How about are, [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KtM4rPj3F2A/maxresdefault.jpg "MAGA ICE Cosplay Is Fueling Fascist Chaos") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtM4rPj3F2A) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/33 "2025-06-14T01:07:16Z")
Sure, that totally justifies a secret police force that can ignore the constitution. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Such a list poses ethical issues around privacy because it risks exposing personal details without consent. Oh, right. There’s no need for the identity of any government personnel to me made public. As long as the president vouches for them it’s none of our business. Can you guess what my tone is meant to convey? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/34 "2025-06-14T01:44:26Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > If they want to shield their families, maybe they should try, I dunno, not being fascists. They really arent. Sure, the whole trump administration and every trump appointee is suspect, but the line agents are just civil servants earning a salary. Any obvious racists are screened out. Most were hired before January 2025 when trump became president. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/35 "2025-06-14T01:58:24Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > but the line agents are just civil servants earning a salary. And just following orders? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/36 "2025-06-14T02:09:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > And just following orders? Yep. But have any been accused of “Crimes against humanity” yet? Overzealous maybe, and they made some mistakes, but can you really compare this to nazi atrocities? Give me a break. I dont like it either, but the blame falls squarely on the trump administration and the xenophobic and bigoted MAGA voters. Even when & if the Dems control the next administration I will bet few if any line civil servants are arrested for such crimes. It will be political appointees. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/37 "2025-06-14T02:20:57Z")
Where the hell are you getting this shit? “Mask and no name tag, pick them up and spirit them away” is about as far from “simple civil servant” as you can possibly get. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/38 "2025-06-14T02:24:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sure, the whole trump administration and every trump appointee is suspect, but the line agents are just civil servants earning a salary. No, I condemn anyone who continues to work for ICE knowing it is being used as an authoritarian instrument to commit acts that are directly opposed to the US Constitution. Anyone who hasn’t bowed out by now is complicit. The thought of the poor men condemned to life in a brutal prison without due process still nauseates me. That man weeping for his mother. People kidnapped off the streets just because they joined a protest. Nobody with a shred of decency would choose to be associated with that. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/39 "2025-06-14T02:25:07Z")
No, you cannot compare them to Nazis. Nazis wore identifiable uniforms and name tags, and didn’t for the most part wear masks…but, then again, both groups were/are “Just Following Orders”. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575/40 "2025-06-14T02:33:55Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yep. But have any been accused of “Crimes against humanity” yet? Hey, Auschwitz wasn’t built in day! Htler ran on a platform of hatred. Once he had power, he started stripping Jews and various other groups of their rights. Auschwitz did not originally have gas chambers. Those came later. We are past quite a few red flags and road marks already. As **Spice Weasel** said, if you work for ICE and start receiving illegal orders- You can protest through channels. You can quit. If you follow the illegal orders, you are simply saying ‘I know I am doing things that are illegal and immoral. I am okay with that as long as I have a job.’ Or, you can just follow the illegal orders. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ice-agents-masked/1019575.md?page=3)