As a alarmed citizen, I urge the committee to advance SB352 and SB351 to help rein in the increasingly extreme and unlawful activities of CBP and ICE.

The Justice and Witness Action Network of the United Church of Christ-VA supports the passage of SB352. As people of faith, we recognize the worth and dignity of all persons. We are deeply concerned about the increasingly lawless behavior exhibited by officers of the Department of Homeland Security, including Immigration & Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents, as they hide behind masks that conceal their identity. These actions are part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence and disregard for the dignity of life. Trust and public safety are essential pillars of a secure community, and when government law enforcement agents conceal their faces and act without identification, it jeopardizes both of those pillars. Anonymous policing erodes trust, invites abuse, and threatens the safety of everyone involved. Law enforcement agents who are acting within the law have no need to hide their identities, and this bill protects responsible officers and the public. Transparency and accountability in law enforcement is critical for public trust. This legislation will strengthen the community's confidence in law enforcement and protect officers and community members from those who would disguise themselves to cause harm. We ask you to vote yes on SB352.