Border Czar Tom Homan rejects Democrats' calls for ICE agents to remove their masks
Source: The Independent
Thursday 26 March 2026 16:15 EDT
Border Czar Tom Homan said Thursday he would not support Democrats demand for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to remove masks while on the job as part of negotiations to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
Homan, who is also overseeing the deployment of ICE, forcefully pushed back on the policy, claiming congressional Democrats, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are making ICE officers more unsafe by wanting them to remain maskless. You want us to take off the mask? Well, you know what, no, were not. Thats one of the things the Hill keeps pushing for in negotiations, Homan told WABCs Cats & Cosby.
Democrats have been locked in a battle with Senate Republicans and the White House over DHS funding for more than 40 days. Before agreeing to reopen the department, Democrats want more regulations for immigration enforcement, such as prohibiting masks and requiring judicial warrants.
But Homan and Republicans argue that allowing ICE officers to mask up is necessary so they can protect themselves while aggressively carrying out President Donald Trumps immigration agenda.
Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/tom-homan-ice-masks-democrats-dhs-shutdown-b2946504.html
How soon thy forget their tirade against masks during COVID.
Whip-poor-will
(223 posts)"you know what, no, were not" is not a reason.
You know what congress doesn't have to fund masked terrorists either
bluestarone
(22,135 posts)Be ready for them to do ANYTHING. Gonna be a hell of a fucking ride for sure.
Qutzupalotl
(15,815 posts)because they can operate with impunity, no accountability or consequence.
We must stand firm on this.
Bayard
(29,609 posts)Sounds like ICE doesn't want witnesses to be able to identify brutes.
raccoon
(32,384 posts)"But Homan and Republicans argue that allowing ICE officers to mask up is necessary so they can protect themselves while aggressively cruelly and abusively carrying out President Donald Trumps immigration agenda."