California Assembly Democrats Pass Two Bills to Stop Trump’s ‘Secret Police,’ Require ICE Agents to Clearly Identify Themselves and Remove Masks

In response to Donald Trump's devastating raids that terrorize workers, families and California's economy, Democrats voted on legislation that will ensure transparency, accountability and public safety

• Nick Miller
• Communications Director
• 916-319-2029
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO - California Assembly Democrats passed significant legislation on Tuesday to put an end to "secret police" tactics by Donald Trump's ICE agents and immigration enforcement officers, protecting Californians from cruel, unlawful federal raids.

SB 805, the "No Vigilantes Act," requires ICE, Border Patrol, and Homeland Security agents operating in California to clearly identify themselves while conducting operations. And SB 627makes it illegal for these federal officers to wear masks or face-coverings.

What Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Says

"Donald Trump's secret police are terrorizing hardworking Californians - but Democrats are fighting back to keep our communities safe from Trump's heartless and illegal ICE raids. Secret police are un-American. This bill makes it clear: Show some ID, masks off. We will fight as long as it takes to protect California."

What Latino Caucus Vice-Chair Assemblymember Liz Ortega Says

"Masked agents shouldn't be able to disappear people. If you are supposedly serving the people, we have a right to know who you are. These bills ensure ICE agents have the same accountability of any other public servant."

What Latino Caucus Vice-Chair Assemblymember Juan Carrillo Says

"As Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I am proud to support these bills, which are a victory for transparency and public trust. Californians deserve to know that law enforcement officers act openly, not in secret, and these bills ensure accountability while keeping communities safe."

What AAPI Caucus Chair Assemblymember Mike Fong Says

"The use of face coverings and the failure of law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during public interactions undermines transparency and contributes to fear and uncertainty in our communities. This creates opportunities for bad actors to exploit that fear and target our most vulnerable families. The AAPI Legislative Caucus stands in support of protecting immigrant families who have been subjected to these aggressive tactics, and we thank the Legislature for passing SB 627 and SB 805."

Democrats Hold Trump's 'Secret Police' Accountable

Assembly Democrats are taking a standagainst the reckless, unconstitutional ICE raidsunder Donald Trump's orders. This includes unidentified agents grabbing people off the streets, detaining people without identifying themselves and refusing to show badges, and indiscriminately targeting immigrants and people of color in their workplaces and communities.

These tactics have devastating impacts on families across California: Parents are afraid to send their children to school, workers are staying homeinstead of reporting to their jobs, small businesses have lost revenue, and families are strugglingto pay for basic needs like groceries and rent.

ICE raids create widespread fear and erode public trust, especially between communities and the officers who have a duty to protect them. SB 627 and SB 805 ensure transparency and accountability, which are especially important in light of the Supreme Court's decisionto allow ICE agents to detain people based on ethnicity or the language they speak.

Legislative leaders are sending a clear message that these raids need to end and secret police tactics have no place in California.

SB 805 and SB 627 now head to final votes in the Senate before going to the Governor for his signature.

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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:

Instagram: @caspeakerrivas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/