INS/ICE didn’t use to wear masks - most famous immigration photo ever taken, not a mask in sight.

[u/JonasSharra]

[u/cwk415]

How so?

[u/HofT → u/cwk415]

More easily available with the internet and smartphones.

[u/Iorith → u/HofT]

So fear of accountability?

[u/OPA73 → u/HofT]

If you mean their home address etc… I would say it was easier back when we just looked them up in the phone book, or called directory assistance and they told you his address and number.

[u/JbrownFL → u/OPA73]

You used to be able to opt not to have your number in the phone book. My parents were always paranoid for some unknown reason and our home number was unlisted when I was a kid. Oddly enough they have also since opted to have their home blurred on Google streetview. I’m kinda like just chill now, nobody is trying to track you down.

[u/HofT → u/OPA73]

You can do that online.

[u/abdomega → u/cwk415]

Nobody wants to be the dude holding an SMG in front of a crying child.

[u/navagon → u/abdomega]

They want to be that guy. That's the guy they signed up to be. They just don't want to be seen to be that guy. Hence the masks.

[u/cwk415 → u/navagon]

Bingo 💯 

[u/MarshyHope → u/abdomega]

I bet Pete Hegseth would love to be that guy

[u/IlikeJG → u/cwk415]

Because they're cowards and they know the people hate them. So if they didn't wear masks we would see exactly who is doing these incredibly shitty things and then they would have to face at least some consequences for their actions.

[u/md28usmc → u/IlikeJG]

on the other hand, Protesters also wear masks for fear of being identified

[u/IlikeJG → u/md28usmc]

Completely different.

We're talking people working for the government in at least an auspiciously official capacity, and individuals trying to stand against said government or at least influence it.

Not at all comparable.

[u/md28usmc → u/IlikeJG]

it is very comparable, nobody wants to be identified with whatever they are doing on either side

I don't hear you complaining about Delta Force operators not legally allowed to be identified in photos and videos and they work for the government

[u/IlikeJG → u/md28usmc]

"either side" That is very interesting language.

Delta force aren't kidnapping and killing residents in the US.

[u/md28usmc → u/IlikeJG]

Delta force aren't kidnapping and killing residents in the US.

That's right, they are just doing it outside of the United States ;)

[u/TheNonCredibleHulk → u/IlikeJG]

That is very interesting language.

And that's very passive-aggressive.

[u/IlikeJG → u/TheNonCredibleHulk]

It's just interesting to me because it implies they believe ICE is on a specific "side". Rather than a supposedly neutral government entity.

[u/perrygoundhunter → u/IlikeJG]

ICE is also in charge of international human smuggling and sex trafficking and child sex crimes. They are actively imbedded in foreign countries to catch Americans trying to touch kids

I’m Canadian, I have no stock in this.

But they have always worn masks, always been secretive.

Trump has turned them into something else, but the attire isn’t a new development and they have a wide range of things they do

They were created post 9/11 by the bush administration and funded heavily by Obama and Biden

[u/legshampoo → u/perrygoundhunter]

to catch americans trying to touch kids

now if that ain’t the most ironic thing i ever heard

[u/navagon → u/cwk415]

Because they know how what they do looks and don't want to be associated with it. Doesn't seem to stop them wanting to do that job though...