Democratic state attorneys general are pushing Congress to pass legislation barring immigration agents from wearing masks to conceal their identities during enforcement operations. The effort has sparked a national debate about balancing agent safety with public accountability and transparency in law enforcement.

ICE agents wearing masks have prompted criminals to imitate the behavior to commit kidnappings and carjackings, Mayes said.

A California bill aimed at banning law enforcement agents from wearing masks while on duty was approved by a legislative committee on Tuesday.