ALBANY, N.Y. (Sep. 25) – New York State Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Tony Simone released the following joint statement today in response to news that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks, and urged New York State to follow suit and pass the MELT Act, which both legislators sponsor in the State Legislature:

 

“California has just taken an important step by banning most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents operating in civilian settings, from concealing their identities with masks. In states and cities across the country, unmarked ICE agents continue to spread fear and sow confusion. That’s why we’ve introduced New York’s Mandating End of Lawless Tactics Act, or the MELT Act (A.8908/S.8462), which bars officers from wearing masks or disguises while engaging with the public, while still allowing protective gear for health, safety, or tactical emergencies. It would also require officers to be clearly identifiable by name or badge number. These are straightforward, common-sense safeguards that restore transparency and accountability without undercutting legitimate law-enforcement needs.

 

Here in New York, we continue to hear from families and institutions who no longer feel safe when unmarked officers show up at schools, hospitals, or homes. Masked raids and unidentifiable agents intimidate communities, fracture trust, and push people away from cooperating with law enforcement even when they need help, denigrating community trust in law enforcement and our institutions. We’re seeing the effects of what happens when those tactics become normalized across New York State: fear spreads, families withdraw from public life, and civil liberties and Constitutional rights are put at risk.

 

The MELT Act is about a simple democratic principle: when the government exercises power, the people deserve to know who is acting in their name. California has shown real leadership, and New York must not fall behind. We urge our colleagues in the State Legislature to pass this bill as soon as possible next session, to restore real transparency and accountability to ICE.”

 

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