City officials and community leaders gathered outside New York’s Federal Plaza Immigration Court on Saturday to demand greater accountability and transparency from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Led by Rep. Nydia Velázquez, the group held a press conference to promote the “No Masks For ICE Act,” legislation she recently introduced that would prohibit ICE agents from wearing face coverings during arrests and require visible identification, including name and agency affiliation.

The bill is a direct response to growing concerns over recent incidents in New York City and other parts of the country in which ICE officers, often in plainclothes and without visible badges, have carried out arrests while masked. Velázquez said these tactics instill fear in immigrant communities and hinder public oversight.

“These practices erode trust and leave families terrified,” Velázquez said. “We must ensure transparency and accountability in all enforcement actions.”

The event drew support from other lawmakers, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, as well as legal experts and immigrant rights advocates, who echoed calls for reform and oversight in ICE operations.