During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the Biden border crisis, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., accused ICE agents of wearing masks during immigration operations, comparing them to ‘masked bank robbers’ who are terrorizing women and endangering communities. Speaking at a hearing titled ‘An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis,’ Swalwell criticized the use of masks by ICE agents, arguing that it undermines transparency and safety. He stated, ‘And these ICE agents running around our communities like masked bank robbers, terrorizing women, they’re going to get themselves hurt — and I hope that doesn’t happen,’ signaling his concern over the tactics used in immigration enforcement.
Swalwell’s comments came in the context of the ongoing debate over immigration policies, with many Democrats calling for reform, while the Trump administration’s approach has been characterized by a focus on border security and deportation of undocumented immigrants. The hearing, hosted by the House Homeland Security Committee, focused on the role of NGOs in facilitating the Biden border crisis. Swallwell’s remarks were not isolated; he also criticized Homeland Security officials like Tom Homan, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller for their policies, highlighting the need for greater oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement.
Homan, the border czar, defended the use of masks by ICE agents, stating that the attacks on enforcement personnel have increased dramatically, with a 700% rise in incidents. He noted the growing threat of doxing, where agents’ personal information is shared online, endangering their safety. In response, Swallwell argued that other law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or local police, do not use masks during operations, implying that ICE’s tactics are unnecessary and potentially harmful. He further criticized the use of racial and ethnic profiling in immigration enforcement, citing cases where individuals were targeted based on their accent or skin color.
The tension between Swalwell and the Trump administration has escalated, with the White House condemning his remarks as a smear campaign against ICE agents. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a White House spokeswoman called Swalwell ‘a pathetic excuse for a Member of Congress,’ accusing him of lying and involving Chinese spies, a claim he has denied. Meanwhile, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons also issued a rebuttal, suggesting that Swalwell’s comparison to ‘bank robbers’ was a misrepresentation of ICE’s role, as agents are ‘bravely removing criminal illegal aliens’ from U.S. communities.
The controversy has sparked renewed debates over the methods used in immigration enforcement, the use of masks by agents, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals, such as the six-year-old leukemia patient detained by ICE in California. A recent article from The Independent highlighted the case of a child who was detained by ICE despite following all immigration rules. The incident has become a focal point for critics of the Trump administration’s policies, with calls for legal reforms to protect such individuals. As the political discourse continues, the situation remains contentious, with both Democrats and Republicans divided on the appropriate approach to immigration enforcement.