The growing national debate over whether federal immigration agents should be allowed to wear masks during dangerous enforcement actions is intensifying into a showdown between the Trump administration, Democrats and anti-ICE activists.

The news comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised concerns about the doxxing of ICE agents, as attacks on them have skyrocketed by 830% since January, the agency said.

In a new July memo, the DHS has called on the Justice Department to prosecute anyone suspected of “doxxing” ICE agents by posting agents’ photos and personal information online or in public.

Residents surround federal agents during a raid in the city of Bell, California, on June 19, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

resistance to ICE enforcement. 

“Brave ICE law enforcement are risking their lives every day to keep our communities safe from the worst of the worst criminals,” McLaughlin said. “ICE law enforcement are succeeding to remove terrorists, murderers, pedophiles and the most depraved among us from America’s communities, even as crazed rhetoric from gutter politicians are inspiring a massive increase in assaults against them.”

“It is reprehensible that our officers are facing this threat while simply doing their jobs and enforcing the law.”

Fox News’ Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.