H.R. 4176: No Secret Police Act of 2025
Sponsor
Daniel Goldman
Democrat · NY-10
Immigration agents shouldn't make arrests in masks
Why it matters
130 House members have signed onto a rule that fits in a single sentence: if a DHS officer detains you over border security or immigration, you see their face and learn which agency they work for. H.R. 4176 would bar face coverings during those arrests and require visible uniforms or insignia.
H.R. 4176 writes three requirements into federal homeland security law. They apply whenever a DHS law enforcement officer or agent detains or arrests someone in connection with border security or immigration enforcement. ICE is named explicitly, but the rule covers any DHS officer doing that work.
First, the officer has to tell the person being detained which DHS component employs them: ICE, Customs and Border Protection, or another DHS agency. Second, the officer has to display an official insignia or wear a uniform that people around them can see. Third, the officer may not wear a face covering or anything else that hides their face during the detention or arrest.
The bill does not require officers to give their name or badge number. What the detained person learns is the agency, not the individual.
Tactical gear stays. The bill says nothing in it limits tactical gear used under DHS policy, and it asks the department to report those policies to the House and Senate homeland security committees within 30 days of enactment, then again within 30 days of any change.
DHS's science and technology directorate would also be tasked with research on making insignia and uniforms easier to see at night, in bad weather, and in different locations. The bill sets these rules but attaches no fine, criminal penalty, or right to sue when an officer breaks them.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jun 27, 2025
Assigned to Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. for review
H.R. 4176 Bill Summary
What H.R. 4176 actually does.
You learn which agency is detaining you
During a covered detention or arrest, the DHS officer or agent must tell the person being detained which DHS component employs them, such as ICE or Customs and Border Protection.
Uniforms or insignia must be visible
Covered officers must display official insignia or wear a uniform in a way that people other than the officer can see during the detention or arrest.
No masks during immigration and border arrests
Covered officers may not wear a face covering or any other item that conceals their face while carrying out the detention or arrest.
Tactical gear is still allowed
The bill states that it does not limit or prohibit tactical gear used in line with DHS policies and procedures.
Congress sees DHS's gear policies within 30 days
The Secretary of Homeland Security must report the department's tactical gear policies to the House and Senate homeland security committees within 30 days of enactment, and again within 30 days of any change.
Insignia built to be seen in the dark and in the rain
DHS's Under Secretary for Science and Technology must research ways to make insignia and uniforms more visible across locations, times of day, and weather conditions.
Who benefits from H.R. 4176?
People detained in immigration or border operations
Anyone taken into custody by DHS in these operations, whether a noncitizen or a U.S. citizen caught up in an enforcement action, would see the officer's face and be told which agency is holding them.
Bystanders and family members at the scene
Neighbors, coworkers, and relatives watching an arrest could tell from visible markings that DHS officers are involved, which matters for finding the person later or contacting a lawyer.
Local police and communities
Supporters argue that visible, unmasked federal officers make it harder for impersonators to pose as immigration agents, a risk that falls on communities with frequent enforcement activity.
Congressional oversight committees
The House and Senate homeland security committees would get DHS's tactical gear policies in writing within 30 days, plus updates whenever those policies change.
Who is affected by H.R. 4176?
ICE and other DHS officers making immigration or border arrests
They would have to make arrests with their faces uncovered, show visible insignia or uniforms, and tell the detained person their agency. Officers who cover their faces for personal safety would lose that option during covered arrests.
Customs and Border Protection personnel
The rule reaches any DHS officer doing border security or immigration enforcement, not just ICE, so Border Patrol and CBP officers making covered arrests would follow the same rules.
The Secretary of Homeland Security
The Secretary would owe Congress a tactical gear policy report within 30 days of enactment, and a fresh one within 30 days of every later change.
DHS Science and Technology Directorate
The directorate would run research on insignia and uniform visibility, working with the DHS components that employ law enforcement officers.
HR4176 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Jun 27, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
House: Committee Action
Jun 26, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Daniel Goldman
Democrat, New York's 10th congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Homeland Security, the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors (130)
All 130 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 36 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, and 33 more.
Adriano Espaillat
Democrat · NY
Bennie Thompson
Democrat · MS
LaMonica McIver
Democrat · NJ
Jerrold Nadler
Democrat · NY
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Joaquin Castro
Democrat · TX
Henry Johnson
Democrat · GA
Sara Jacobs
Democrat · CA
Shri Thanedar
Democrat · MI
Frederica Wilson
Democrat · FL
Lateefah Simon
Democrat · CA
Andrea Salinas
Democrat · OR
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Homeland Security Committee
13 of 33 committee members cosponsored
Judiciary Committee
12 of 44 committee members cosponsored
8 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 4176 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 1(b) of Homeland Security Act of 2002
inserting after the item relating to section 713 the following new item: ``Sec
H.R. 4176 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Homeland Security
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Immigration
- Introduced
- Jun 26, 2025
Assigned to Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. for review
Jun 27, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill text, sponsors, cosponsors, and committee actions for the No Secret Police Act of 2025.
The bill adds a new section 714 to this part of the Homeland Security Act, which covers DHS management.
ERO is the ICE division that carries out immigration arrests and detentions, the operations the bill's mask ban and ID rules would govern.
Border Patrol is the uniformed CBP force that makes border arrests, which the bill covers alongside ICE.
The bill directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to research ways to make insignia and uniforms more visible.
The bill was referred to this committee, which would also receive DHS's tactical gear policy reports.
The Senate committee that would receive DHS's tactical gear reports within 30 days of enactment and of any policy change.
The bill was also referred to the Judiciary Committee, whose immigration subcommittee handles enforcement legislation.
H.R. 4176 Common Questions
Would H.R. 4176 ban ICE agents from wearing masks during arrests?
Yes. During a detention or arrest tied to immigration or border enforcement, covered DHS officers, including ICE, could not wear a face covering or anything else that hides their face.
Would officers have to give their name or badge number?
No. The officer must tell you which DHS agency employs them, such as ICE or Customs and Border Protection, and show visible insignia or a uniform. The bill does not require an individual name or badge number.
Does the bill cover Border Patrol, or only ICE?
Both. It applies to any DHS law enforcement officer or agent who detains or arrests someone for border security or immigration enforcement. ICE is named explicitly, but CBP officers making covered arrests would follow the same rules.
Could officers still wear helmets, vests, and other tactical gear?
Yes. The bill says it does not limit tactical gear used under DHS policy. DHS would have to report those gear policies to Congress within 30 days of enactment and within 30 days of any later change.
What happens if an officer wears a mask anyway?
The bill does not set a penalty. It includes no fine, no criminal charge, and no right to sue, so enforcement would depend on DHS discipline and congressional oversight.
Does H.R. 4176 apply to local police or other federal agencies like the FBI?
No. It covers only DHS law enforcement officers and agents, and only during detentions or arrests connected to border security or immigration enforcement.
Who sponsored the No Secret Police Act, and how much support does it have?
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced it in June 2025. It has 130 cosponsors, all Democrats, and is awaiting action in the House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees.
Based on H.R. 4176 bill text
H.R. 4176 Bill Text
“To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require law enforcement officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in border security or immigration enforcement to display or wear certain insignia and provide identification, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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