😷Readers Ask: Can ICE Really Wear Masks?
Maybe legal. Definitely dangerous.
📡 On my Radar
The short answer: Maybe.
When I was in the government, we tried to limit this behavior. But there's still no federal law explicitly prohibiting masks by law enforcement. The decision of when federal officers can wear masks is left to law enforcement and the Executive Branch itself. In some cases masks are expressly forbidden, in others they are allowed.
But the real problem isn't legal—it's public safety.
When federal officers wear masks, it creates cover for impersonators. Communities are already seeing masked individuals with Amazon-ordered vests claim to be federal agents. This loss of trust is why local law enforcement don’t go running around wearing masks.
You can't create the controversy then demand anonymity to handle it.
This is a real danger. In Minnesota, Vance Boelter killed State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband by impersonating a police officer. He wore a realistic silicone mask, drove a black SUV with police lights, and used a license plate reading "police."
And importantly, when law enforcement can't be recognized, they can't be held accountable for misconduct.
ICE claims masks are needed because agents face threats and doxxing. While threats to officers and their families are unacceptable, the remedy is legal action against those making threats—not masking officers.
Remember if masked law enforcement shows up you have the right to safely document their behavior, and you can also support growing state legislation to ban masks.
📈 By the Numbers
👊🏽 Make a Difference
15 jobs | 2 opportunities | 1 fellowship
JOB | Catalyst Philanthropy is hiring a Junior Associate for a 6-month, flex-time contract specifically designed for new grads with less than 5 years experience.
JOB | JP Morgan's Global Philanthropy seeks an Associate to support impact, evaluation, and learning strategy for their philanthropic portfolio.
JOB | Johns Hopkins is hiring a full-time Research Manager for a 2-year NIMH-funded study evaluating a digital mental health app for teens.
JOB | Jenny Soojean Kwon from UC Law San Francisco is hiring an Executive Assistant & Events Specialist to work with The Chancellor & Dean's Office.
JOB | Brian Silva from Americans United for Separation of Church and State is hiring a Senior Manager of Field & Organizing.
OPPORTUNITY | Combat immigration raids by volunteering with Bet Tzedek. Volunteers are urgently needed to provide legal support and advocacy during this critical time.
JOB | Build a calmer world. Jameeka Green Aaron from Headspace is hiring a Senior Security Engineer, Detection & Response to support innovative features and ensure platform security for over 65 million users.
JOB | The State Department Office of Inspector General is increasing capacity for foreign assistance oversight with open positions across audits, inspections, data science, and criminal investigations. Only open to applicants from USAID.
JOB | Refugee services organization Tent is hiring a Chief of Staff to work closely with their team advancing refugee economic integration around the world.
OPPORTUNITY | University of Chicago's Discover UChicago program offers a fully funded visit weekend October 19–21, 2025. Free travel, lodging, grad school prep workshops, admissions coaching, and connections with faculty and current students. No GPA or test score requirements (except Law School applicants).
JOB | My friends at Team Rubicon seek their first Business Development Officer to build new funding pipelines across corporations, foundations, and high net worth individuals.
JOB | Shoren Brown is launching a new organization and seeking senior roles for campaigns and communications work.
FELLOWSHIP | Western Union Global Fellowship Program - a fully funded opportunity for entrepreneurs supporting refugee, marginalized, or displaced communities.
JOB | Save the Children is hiring a Government and Multilateral Partnership Manager (maternity cover) to manage and strengthen relationships with multilateral development banks within their Partnerships team.
JOB | Jake Pinholster shares an opportunity at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois to join as an Assistant Technical Director.
JOB | Farhan Syed shares The Gates Foundation's Washington State Initiative team is seeking a Senior Officer, Washington State Data, to drive equity-driven work at the intersection of education, data, technology and postsecondary opportunity.
JOB | UNOPS is hiring a Director of the Washington Office. UNOPS helps the UN and its partners provide peace and security, humanitarian and development solutions.
🤓 This is Your Next
Mark Twain, by Ron Chernow