VISIBLE Act
The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement Act of 2025 (VISIBLE Act) would amend Section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require all “covered immigration officers” who directly engage in public-facing immigration enforcement to wear visible identification at all times during such actions. The identification would include the officer’s agency and name or badge number, and the officer’s last name or badge/identification number, displayed in a way that is legible from at least 25 feet and readable during direct public engagement. The requirement applies to federal immigration enforcement actors (e.g., CBP and ICE) and others authorized to enforce immigration laws, but not to covert or non-public operations. The bill also sets rules on not wearing face coverings that obscure ID unless necessary for covert operations or hazardous conditions, and creates oversight, reporting, and complaint mechanisms to promote accountability and transparency. If enacted, the DHS Secretary would discipline noncompliant officers, and provide annual public and congressional reporting on enforcement activity and enforcement noncompliance. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties would handle complaints, issue compliance recommendations, and include findings in its annual public report, with potential coordination with the Office of Inspector General as appropriate.
Key Points
- 1Scope of coverage: Defines “covered immigration officers” (CBP, ICE, or others deputized under federal law or DHS agreements) and “public immigration enforcement functions” (patrols, stops, arrests, searches, interviews, raids, checkpoints, warrants service, etc.), excluding covert or non-enforcement activities.
- 2Visible identification standards: Officers must wear visible identification at all times during public enforcement actions, including agency name, and last name or badge/identification number, clearly legible from 25 feet, on the outermost garment or gear and not obscured by armor or equipment.
- 3Face coverings restriction: Non-medical masks/balaclavas that would obscure ID or the officer’s face are generally not allowed unless operationally necessary for covert activities or hazardous conditions.
- 4Compliance and reporting: DHS Secretary must discipline noncompliant officers and submit an annual (and ongoing) report to Congress detailing total public enforcement functions, instances of noncompliance, and actions taken.
- 5Civil rights oversight: The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties would handle complaints, issue compliance recommendations, and publish findings in its annual public report, including coordination with the DHS Inspector General as appropriate.