US Border Czar Defends Masks for ICE Agents Despite Democrats’ Demands for Removal

White House border czar Tom Homan is defending ICE agents’ ability to wear masks during the government shutdown as the mandate becomes a point of contention.

Despite not liking them, he emphasizes the importance of the masks amid claims of increased violence against ICE agents. He showed up Look at the Nation on February 15 to explain his views on the matter.

“I don’t like the masks either,” Homan said reported by CBS News.

He also added: “These men and women must protect themselves.”

He also noted a new report from the Department of Homeland Security claiming that attacks on ICE agents have increased by more than 1,300%. Given the proposed increase in violence against immigration officers, the mask mandate provides a semblance of safety and less off-the-clock harassment.

However, opposition to ICE agents continues to grow with their continued raids across the country. In light of the agent-related deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Petti, as well as controversial deportations, many anti-ICE advocates have taken to the streets to protest their increased presence in U.S. cities.

However, masking remains another barrier to the Department of Homeland Security’s reopening. The US imposed a partial government shutdown on February 14 over the issue, with Democratic lawmakers refusing to pass an annual budget without revisions to ICE spending.

In addition to a mask ban, Democrats are also fighting for officers to wear body cameras and identification, as well as the elimination of racial profiling, before reaching a deal. As for the profiling, Homan denied the allegations and stated that ICE agents have the right to question people “based on reasonable suspicion.”

“They want to say, stop racial profiling. That just doesn’t happen. ICE will arrest and interrogate someone briefly, but only interrogate someone based on reasonable suspicion. It has nothing to do with racial profiling,” the Border Zzar continued. “There is no ethnic profiling.”

Homan also criticized another requirement, which would require court orders before ICE agents would make arrests on private property. The Trump official said Congress must pass new legislation if it wants to make significant changes.

“If Congress wants that change, Congress can legislate. But right now, ICE is acting within the framework of federal statutes enacted by Congress and signed by a president,” he said.

Despite calls from Republican leaders to pass the budget, Democrats are refusing to back down as DHS funding is cut over the polarizing issue of ICE.

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