Immigration ID and Privacy Act

Summary#

This bill would change part of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require most immigration enforcement officers to show visible identification during public enforcement actions. It says covered immigration officers must display their last name, another unique identifier, the name of their federal employer, and their face when doing public-facing enforcement work. The rule does not apply to covert operations. The bill lists exceptions for undercover work; certain planned tactical or high-risk operations (with examples such as hostage incidents, narcotics raids, active shooter responses, and high‑risk warrant service); and situations that require face coverings under an existing workplace rule.

The bill also defines "covered employee" to include the officer and some family members who share the officer's permanent residence. It defines "privacy-enhancing services" broadly to mean software, hardware, or technical measures that reduce or remove personal information risks.

The bill lets federal agencies use amounts already appropriated for salaries and expenses in fiscal year 2026 or later to reimburse covered employees for up to 100 percent of the costs of privacy-enhancing services. Reimbursement requires whatever documentation the employing agency reasonably requires. The bill adds rules saying it does not stop lawful press reporting, lawful disclosure about covered employees on matters of public concern, or information the employee or employer voluntarily publishes online.

What it means for you#

• If you are an immigration officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or anyone deputized to carry out immigration enforcement, you would normally need to show visible ID and your face during public enforcement actions.
• If you are a family member living with such an officer, the bill identifies you as a "covered employee" for purposes of the reimbursement program.
• If you are a member of the public, the bill would make it more likely that officers who interact with you in public enforcement settings are visibly identified, except in covert or high-risk tactical situations.

Expenses#

• The bill allows agencies to use amounts already appropriated for salaries and expenses for fiscal year 2026 and later to reimburse covered employees for privacy-enhancing services costs, up to 100 percent.
• Reimbursements are contingent on documentation that the agency requires.
• The bill text does not provide an overall cost estimate or specify a budget amount. No publicly available information on total fiscal impact is included in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.