This bill, known as the "VISIBLE Act," amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require all immigration enforcement officers to wear visible identification during public-facing enforcement activities. This identification must include the officer's employing agency and either their last name or a unique badge number. The identifying information for the agency must be clearly legible from at least 25 feet, and the officer's name or badge number must be clearly visible and readable during direct public engagement, displayed on the outermost garment. The legislation defines "public immigration enforcement function" to include activities like patrols, stops, arrests, and interviews, but excludes covert, non-public operations. Furthermore, officers are prohibited from wearing non-medical face coverings that obscure their identification or face, unless operationally necessary for covert operations or hazardous environmental conditions. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security ensure appropriate administrative discipline for non-compliant officers and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement functions, non-compliance instances, and disciplinary actions taken. The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will investigate complaints, issue recommendations, and include findings in its annual public report to promote transparency and accountability.
This bill, known as the "VISIBLE Act," amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require all immigration enforcement officers to wear visible identification during public-facing enforcement activities. This identification must include the officer's employing agency and either their last name or a unique badge number. The identifying information for the agency must be clearly legible from at least 25 feet, and the officer's name or badge number must be clearly visible and readable during direct public engagement, displayed on the outermost garment. The legislation defines "public immigration enforcement function" to include activities like patrols, stops, arrests, and interviews, but excludes covert, non-public operations. Furthermore, officers are prohibited from wearing non-medical face coverings that obscure their identification or face, unless operationally necessary for covert operations or hazardous environmental conditions. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security ensure appropriate administrative discipline for non-compliant officers and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement functions, non-compliance instances, and disciplinary actions taken. The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will investigate complaints, issue recommendations, and include findings in its annual public report to promote transparency and accountability.