2025 Senate Resolution 86

Whereas, The federal government of the United States is responsible for the enforcement of immigration law within its jurisdiction. In the United States, enforcement of the law is meant to be an open and honest activity of the government; and

Whereas, Since the early months of the current federal administration, federal agents have been making arrests under the cover of anonymity, without clearly identifying themselves as law enforcement. Enforcement actions have been carried out by agents wearing hoodies and masks, donning civilian clothes rather than uniforms, and not displaying badges or other indicia of authority. These agents arrive at raids on public areas in unmarked cars, such that individuals do not know if they are being approached by law enforcement or criminals; and

Whereas, In 2025 there have been multiple reports of individuals impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Some individuals have claimed to represent immigration enforcement authorities to engage in vigilantism, while others have assumed this persona to commit crimes. The methods being used by immigration authorities are making it harder to verify whether an individual is an officer, creating opportunities for impersonators to do harm; and

Whereas, Clear, consistent, visible identification helps reduce miscommunication during enforcement encounters, strengthens officer credibility, and improves public cooperation, all of which are vital to mission success; and

Whereas, In our nation, law enforcement officers should not only clearly identify themselves but also exercise restraint in encroaching on certain sensitive locations. Proper respect for individuals’ privacy and the right to be free from government interference is a principle embodied in many aspects of the United States Constitution, and particularly the Fourth Amendment. As the Supreme Court of the United States has said, the Fourth Amendment “seeks to secure ‘the privacies of life’ against ‘arbitrary power,’” and “a central aim of the Framers was ‘to place obstacles in the way of a too permeating police surveillance.’” We should continue to uphold these values by establishing limits on the powers of federal law enforcement to act in locations where we, as a nation, feel that individuals should be free to come and go without fear of detention or arrest; and

Whereas, Legislation has been introduced in the United States Congress to promote transparency and accountability in federal immigration enforcement actions. Senate Bill 2212 of 2025, the “Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement Act of 2025” or the “VISIBLE Act,” would require immigration officers to display visible identification during public-facing immigration enforcement actions, including the officer’s employing agency and their last name or badge number. Furthermore, it would prohibit immigration officers from wearing non-medical face coverings, with limited exceptions for covert, non-public operations or to guard against hazardous environmental conditions. These measures would alert members of the public to an officer’s status and help individuals verify that they are interacting with a real member of law enforcement; and

Whereas, Legislation has also been introduced to protect the privacy and dignity of individuals from unnecessary interference by federal immigration authorities. Senate Bill 455 of 2025, the “Protecting Sensitive Locations Act,” would limit immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations and establish rules for how immigration agents are to conduct themselves in these locations. “Sensitive locations” would include, for instance, healthcare facilities, schools, places of worship, funerals, weddings, courthouses, and public assistance offices. Such legislation would reassure individuals that they may travel to and from these essential locations without fear; and

Whereas, Our nation’s immigration authorities have embraced policies restricting enforcement actions in or near “sensitive locations” or “protected areas” for over three decades, under both Democratic and Republican leadership. It is time we codify the commonsense protections provided under the policies of five administrations – the Clinton Administration, the Bush Administration, the Obama Administration, the first Trump Administration, and the Biden Administration – into law; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the United States Congress to pass legislation to require immigration officers to display visible identification, prohibit immigration officers from covering their faces, and limit immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.