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WATCH: Masked federal agents make arrest in DC
Neighbors in Chevy Chase caught on camera the arrests of two men by masked federal agents who did not identify themselves, saying only that they were with "immigration."
WASHINGTON - The debate over federal agents wearing masks continues in the District after FOX 5 DC received video of two men arrested in D.C. by unidentified law enforcement.
The arrest was recorded in D.C.’s Chevy Chase neighborhood this morning.
What we know:
"Are you with the police? Who are you with?" neighbors can be heard asking in the video.
The woman who captured the video tells me the whole incident lasted about four minutes — she recorded the entire time.
She saw the agents — in a minivan with Maryland plates — pull over the white construction van during rush hour traffic on Nebraska Avenue Northwest, but wasn’t sure exactly why the stop was initiated.
The agents then handcuffed the two men inside and took them away in the minivan — all the while not responding to neighbors’ requests to see identification, just saying once that they were with immigration.
ICE officials tell FOX 5's Homa Bash that they are working to confirm the arrests and release more details about the circumstances.
Are ICE agents allowed to wear masks?
Dig deeper:
"If law enforcement is engaging in activities that are aboveboard, what is the harm in identifying their agency and their name?" says civil and criminal litigator Eric Faddis.
An expert with the Center for American Progress says cases of people impersonating immigration officers throughout the country have been hugely concerning.
"Outside of the legal concerns, we know for a fact this is posing a danger both to communities as well as the officers engaged in these practices," said Allie Preston from the Center for American Progress.
"I think the mask is just designed to intimidate people," said one woman who asked to remain anonymous. "I understand that some of these masked men think it’s for protection, but they’re just escalating situations and making it more difficult for people involved."
ICE officials say agents do have the option to wear masks if they want to for their safety — especially with so many people recording arrests lately.
Bowser responds to masked arrests
Local perspective:
On Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Muriel Bowser said on X, "Trust between community and law enforcement is central to our city’s safety."
She requested federal agents not wear masks, clearly identify their agencies, and provide ID during arrests.
"What has not worked during this period of time is ICE terrorizing communities, especially with masks, and especially not having enough information about where people are. I've said that repeatedly. I'll say it again," said Bowser.
ICE responds
Full statement:
"ICE arrested Marvin Saul Alvarez, an illegal Salvadoran alien, and Daniel Perez-Perez, an illegal Guatemalan alien, Sept. 2., during routine enforcement actions in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Border Patrol previously arrested Alvarez Nov. 4, 2023, and removed him to Mexico. He has since illegally reentered the U.S. on an unknown date and location and without admission by an immigration official.
Perez entered the U.S. on an unknown date and location and without admission by an immigration official. Perez was offered, and he accepted, a voluntary departure Sept. 2.
Aliens residing in the United States illegally are encouraged to self deport. Tools such as the CBP Home app are available to support the self-deportation process. Illegal aliens now face a very real and imminent possibility of being encountered, arrested, and removed by ICE under a renewed commitment to law and order led by President Trump and Secretary Noem."
The Source: This story includes information from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Allie Preston from the Center for American Progress and civil and criminal litigator Eric Faddis.