New California law would require immigration agents to identify themselves

A law is being introduced that would require agents participating in immigration enforcement activity to identify themselves. 

The statewide legislation would “reinforce the importance of law enforcement properly identifying themselves during enforcement actions,” according to a media release from the pair of politicians sponsoring the bill, California Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) and Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo. 

“Recent incidents involving individuals impersonating law enforcement officers have created confusion, fear and mistrust in communities across the state,” the release reads. “This legislation seeks to establish clear and consistent standards, requiring officers to identify themselves during enforcement actions.”

A press conference held by Pérez and Gordo, along with several community organizations, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday outside Pasadena City Hall.

The proposed law comes as many immigration raids take place across Southern California, some of which are conducted by masked agents who use physical force to take people into custody.

Notable incidents of rough detainments include one incident on June 12 in Hawthorne in which a pregnant U.S. citizen was detained after being pinned against a truck and eventually handcuffed. The woman, Cary López Alvarado, gave birth four days later; however, she was told the father of her baby, who was also detained along with Alvarado’s cousin, was transferred to a facility in Texas. 

Another case involved a group of men wearing U.S. Border Patrol vests hitting a man in Orange County while detaining him. The man, a father of three U.S. Marines, was eventually forced into the back of an unmarked vehicle. 

Agents have also been seen at local swap meets, shopping centers and chasing a farm worker in Ventura County, among other places.