States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police - AP News

AP News
March 19, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bottom Line

States are seeking to unmask the identities of federal immigration agents and their own police.

AI Summary

Several states are pushing to require federal immigration agents to identify themselves and their agencies during enforcement operations, while also seeking transparency about their own police departments' involvement in immigration enforcement. The effort reflects tension between state and local governments that want oversight of federal immigration activities within their borders and the Trump administration's immigration enforcement priorities. States argue that unidentified agents conducting raids create public safety risks and undermine trust in law enforcement, while transparency about local police participation in federal operations raises concerns about civil liberties and resource allocation. The push represents a significant challenge to federal immigration enforcement operations that have accelerated under the current administration. The outcome will likely depend on whether courts view identification requirements as constitutional limits on federal power or as unconstitutional restrictions on federal agents' operational flexibility.

What's Being Done

States are pursuing legal action to obtain identifying information about federal immigration agents and state/local police involved in enforcement operations.

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