CLEAR ID Act

This bill limits how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can use federal money for civil immigration enforcement. It says officers may not wear masks or face coverings that hide who they are, must use clearly marked agency vehicles, and must identify themselves out loud and by showing ID, a badge, and a uniform. These rules apply to officers from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other agencies allowed by DHS to do civil immigration enforcement.

The bill responds to reports of people pretending to be immigration officers and committing crimes. It lists recent cases in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Bay County (FL), Sullivan’s Island (SC), and Raleigh, and says impersonation breaks the law and harms public trust. There are exceptions when a mask is medically needed or for a properly approved undercover operation, which must meet specific risk-based criteria.

• Who is affected: CBP, ICE, and other officers authorized by DHS for civil immigration enforcement.
• What changes: No identity-hiding masks; use marked vehicles; clear verbal and visible ID; limited exceptions for medical needs or approved undercover work with set criteria.
• How it works: DHS cannot use federal funds for these actions unless these identification steps are followed.