Who Are Those Masked Men?

Back in the day, many heroes wore masks: Batman, the Lone Ranger, Iron Man. Sadly, we’re in an era of another kind of mask, the kind that “Halloween’s” Michael Myers favored, the ones covering the faces of ICE officials as they viciously round up immigrants (and even US citizens).

At this writing, we’ve seen Trump’s promise of “mass deportations” take some very dark, cruel turns. ICE agents in tactical gear and masks are grabbing people suspected of being here illegally. They’re rolling into construction sites, into restaurant kitchens, even in courthouse parking lots as immigrants leave after hearings on their status. Of course, these terrified individuals are not given any due process before they’re put on planes to destinations unknown. Even their families don’t know where they are.

Neighbors who’ve lived here for years are being taken, even if they can prove citizenship. From moms waiting to pick up their kids at school, disabled people, to kids undergoing critical medical treatments. The dudes in masks don’t care. They’re collecting them like some nasty version of Pokémon and they’re under pressure to arrest even more. There are even reports that agents are disguising themselves as utility workers to gain access to homes.

The masks serve several purposes. One, they intimidate. Two, they hide identity. The question of the identity of these individuals is problematic. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testified under oath that recently-pardoned felons from the January 6^th attacks – including members of militant groups like the Proud Boys –have been OK’d to work with ICE.

Another problem with masks is that much of this Tough Guy Cosplay gear (with seemingly “official” logos) can be purchased online. Literally anyone with a beef against immigrants, too much time on their hands, and their mom’s credit card, can pretend to be ICE with no accountability.

But communities are fighting back. When ICE showed up at a beloved Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis and targeted kitchen workers, the community gathered to push the agents away. The same scenario played out in San Diego at an Italian joint. The masked agents were greeted with loud shouts of “Shame!” – and other more, um, “colorful” requests.

In light of these brownshirt tactics, there are a few things we citizens can do. One is to show up peacefully. The news of raids on local eateries got neighbors in the streets almost immediately, most filming the encounters to post online or send to local news outlets. The cumulative power of the community resulted in many of these raids being moved off.

You can also support legal resources to support our immigrant neighbors. And contact your representatives to let them know that these Masked Men and their tactics are unacceptable and unlawful. Write letters to the editor and post (respectfully) in your local social media outlets. Make some noise – and rip those masks off, even metaphorically, so they’ll be seen for what they’re doing…in the light.

Cindy Grogan is a writer, lover of history and "Star Trek" (TOS), and hardcore politics junkie. There was that one time she campaigned for Gerald Ford (yikes), but ever since, she's been devoted to Democratic and progressive policies.