[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 117 (Tuesday, July 8, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4258-S4259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Van 
        Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Hirono, 
        Mr. Welch, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Smith, Ms. Slotkin, Mr. Peters, Mr. 
        Kim, and Ms. Klobuchar):

       S. 2212. A bill to amend section 287 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act to require all immigration enforcement 
     officers to display visible identification during public-
     facing immigration enforcement actions and to promote 
     transparency and accountability; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Visible 
Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement 
(VISIBLE) Act of 2025, which I am proud to lead alongside Senator Cory 
Booker of New Jersey.
  This legislation would require immigration enforcement officers--
including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, Federal 
agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized State or local 
officers--to wear clearly visible identification during public-facing 
civil immigration enforcement actions. The identification must include 
the officer's Agency name or initials and either their name or badge 
number, displayed in a way that remains legible and unobscured by 
tactical gear or clothing.
  The bill prohibits nonmedical face coverings, such as masks or 
balaclavas, that obscure an officer's face or impair the visibility of 
required identifying information, except when necessary for 
environmental hazards or covert operations. It also directs DHS to 
establish disciplinary procedures for violations, requires annual 
compliance reporting to Congress, and empowers the Office for Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties to investigate public complaints and 
recommend corrective action.
  In recent years, civil immigration enforcement operations have 
increasingly featured officers wearing unmarked tactical gear and 
concealing clothing, with no visible indication of their Agency 
affiliation or personal identity. These tactics have sown confusion, 
fear, and mistrust, especially in immigrant communities already 
subjected to heightened scrutiny. In some cases, members of the public 
could not even confirm whether they were interacting with legitimate 
government officials.
  This lack of transparency is not only dangerous for the public but 
also for law enforcement. When officers are indistinguishable from 
impersonators, the risk of escalation in high-stress encounters 
increases. By requiring visible identification, the VISIBLE Act helps 
promote professionalism, improve accountability, and reduce the risk of 
mistaken identity or misuse of Federal authority.
  The bill's approach is narrow and balanced. It does not interfere 
with covert operations, criminal enforcement actions, or necessary 
officer protections. Instead, it simply ensures that during public-
facing civil immigration enforcement actions, officers can be 
identified. This is a commonsense safeguard--similar to policies that 
local police and other Federal Agencies already implement themselves--
and one that will help rebuild public trust in Federal immigration 
operations.
  I am grateful to Senator Booker for his partnership on this 
legislation, and for his continued leadership on issues of fairness and 
accountability in our immigration and criminal justice systems. At a 
time when immigration enforcement practices are under intense

[[Page S4259]]

national scrutiny, we must ensure that our policies reflect not only 
authority, but integrity. The VISIBLE Act helps meet that standard.

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