Denver Ban on Masks for ICE Agents, Other Law Enforcement Approved by City Council in Unanimous Vote

Denver City Council on Monday unanimously approved a new law that will ban federal immigration and other law enforcement officers from wearing masks while working within city limits, though how it will be enforced remains a question council members have been reluctant to address.

The law, which Denver7 has been covering for weeks, would also require federal agents to clearly identify themselves with a visible ID from at least 25 feet away when operating in Denver.

Under the new law, federal agents who do not comply could be cited — or even arrested — by Denver police.

{snip}

It was not immediately clear when Mayor Mike Johnston was expected to sign the measure into law and when it will go into effect.

{snip}

The vote from city council comes just days after Johnston signed an executive order banning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from city-owned or city-controlled property while laying out protections for protesters against excessive use of force by federal agents.

At a news conference last week, Johnston said these two measures “make for a combined strategy” to protect Denverites from federal overreach.

{snip}

When asked about how officers would enforce the city’s ordinance banning law enforcement facial coverings, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said “a lot of that remains to be seen.” He said officers will use their own discretion when enforcing the ordinance.

{snip}