HR4843-119

What This Bill Does

The CLEAR ID Act responds to reported incidents in 2025 in which individuals allegedly impersonated ICE officers in Chicago, Philadelphia, Bay County, Sullivan's Island, and Raleigh. The operative rule limits DHS funding for civil immigration enforcement actions. Except for medical necessity or an approved undercover operation, covered immigration officers may not conduct such actions with DHS funds unless they are not wearing masks or facial coverings that hide identity, use only vehicles clearly identifying the involved agency when a vehicle is used, and identify themselves verbally and visibly by showing agency identification, presenting a badge, and wearing a uniform representing the agency. Covered immigration officers include CBP personnel, ICE personnel, and other federal, state, or local personnel authorized by DHS to conduct civil immigration enforcement. Undercover approvals must consider risks of personal injury, property damage, financial loss, reputation damage, civil liability, privacy invasion, interference with privileged relationships, unlawful conduct, and suitability of government participation.

Who Benefits and How

People approached during civil immigration enforcement benefit from visible officer identity, marked vehicles, badges, and uniforms. Immigrant communities benefit if clearer identification reduces fear caused by officer impersonation and masked enforcement. Legitimate ICE officers benefit because impersonators become easier to distinguish from authorized personnel. Local law enforcement agencies benefit if federal immigration operations are less likely to be confused with criminal impersonation.

Who Bears the Burden and How

ICE field teams must adjust mask, identification, uniform, and vehicle practices for civil immigration enforcement actions. CBP personnel assigned to immigration enforcement must follow the same visibility rules when using DHS funds. DHS undercover operation approvers must document risk-based criteria before allowing covered exceptions. State or local officers authorized by DHS must comply with federal identity-disclosure requirements during civil immigration actions.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits DHS funds for civil immigration enforcement unless covered officers are visibly identifiable.
• Requires marked agency vehicles when vehicles are used in official immigration operations.
• Requires officers to identify themselves verbally and visibly with agency identification, badges, and uniforms.
• Allows exceptions for medical necessity and approved undercover operations based on listed risk criteria.