Denver Bans Masked ICE Agents, Citing Abuse of Power

City Council cites lack of threat to agents, pattern of intimidation and violence against citizens

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Denver City Council has banned law enforcement, including ICE agents, from wearing masks while on duty, citing a lack of credible threat to the agents' safety and a pattern of using anonymity to intimidate and assault citizens. The move comes after a year of increased scrutiny over ICE's tactics, including detaining non-violent offenders and confronting protesters.

Why it matters

The use of masks by ICE agents has become a contentious issue, with some arguing it is necessary for agent safety, while critics say it allows agents to avoid accountability and engage in abusive behavior. The Denver ban is part of a growing movement to restrict the use of masks by law enforcement, particularly in situations involving civil liberties and immigration enforcement.

The details

According to a CATO Institute study, ICE agents face far less risk of violence or death in the line of duty compared to the average person. Only two ICE agents have been murdered since 2003, while 32 people died in ICE custody last year. Despite this, ICE agents have been routinely wearing masks even in non-confrontational situations like checkpoint stops and crowd control near protests. The Denver City Council believes this anonymity has enabled ICE agents to intimidate citizens, assault protesters, and ignore constitutional rights.

  • In 2025, the second safest year on record for Border Patrol and ICE agents.
  • The Denver City Council passed the ban on masked law enforcement in early 2026.

The players

Denver City Council

The legislative body of the City and County of Denver that has banned law enforcement, including ICE agents, from wearing masks while on duty.

CATO Institute

A libertarian think tank that conducted a study showing ICE agents face far less risk of violence or death compared to the average person.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration pushed for a rapid expansion of ICE and shifted agents away from trafficking investigations to focus more on civil immigration and detention cases.

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What they’re saying

“Calling masks necessary for ICE to do their job doesn't make it right, either. To the contrary, the past year has shown us putting ICE agents in masks can only lead to a long list of wrongs.”

— Mario Nicolais, Columnist (The Colorado Sun)

What’s next

The Denver City Council's ban on masked law enforcement is expected to face legal challenges from the federal government, which may argue it interferes with ICE's ability to carry out its duties.

The takeaway

The debate over ICE agents wearing masks highlights the broader tensions around immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and the appropriate use of force by law enforcement. The Denver ban reflects a growing sentiment that the anonymity provided by masks has enabled abuses of power that undermine public trust and community safety.