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(New York, NY) – New York City elected officials are introducing a new bill designed to prevent ICE agents from wearing masks or other face coverings while acting as federal agents. It’s called the MELT Act; which stands for Mandating End to Lawless Tactics. City officials claim ICE agents wearing masks while making arrests is both illegal and stoking fear in the community.
City Comptroller Brad Lander, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Assemblymember Tony Simone unveiled the bill, which they said is in direct response to a recent increase in ICE funding, something city officials say will bolster the agency’s presence in New York City.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement says the masks provide a measure of safety for agents which have been assaulted by rioters with rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at them and shot at.
President spoke negatively against a similar federal bill proposed by Sens. Alex Padilla and Cory Booker that would require ICE agents to identify themselves.
