The article discusses the controversial practice of masked federal agents arresting international students, raising questions about their authority and the potential normalization of this tactic. The Trump administration's increased deportation actions have led to these scenes, with agents in plain clothes detaining students on campus or near their homes.
There's no federal policy on when officers can wear masks during arrests; historically, it's been limited to undercover work. However, concerns about agents being targeted due to the administration's policies and the ease of exposing officers' personal information online have seemingly changed practices.
Immigration advocates, attorneys, and civil litigators warn against normalizing this tactic, particularly as the Trump administration's crackdown targets pro-Palestinian student activists and critics of Israel. The optics are considered striking, contrasting with the usual practice of not masking agents during arrests of high-profile criminals in the US.
The article cites several cases, including RĂĽmeysa Ă–ztĂĽrk, a PhD student detained near Tufts University, and Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained near Columbia University, whose lawyer called the detention an unlawful attempt to stifle dissent. Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University fellow, was also detained by masked agents brandishing weapons.
DHS justifies the use of masks by stating it protects officers from targeting by terrorist sympathizers. However, critics argue that it’s a “laughable excuse” and that agents should be identified, holding them accountable for violating students' rights.
Experts warn of the potential for this practice to become standard procedure, urging the establishment of a federal policy on mask use by officers. The safety and security of officers are paramount, but the lack of policy and potential for abuse are significant concerns.