Geraldo Rivera Roasted Over ICE Mask Comments—Critics Say He’s ‘Clueless’ on Law Enforcement Protocols

NOTE: VIDEOS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.

Longtime TV personality Geraldo Rivera is under fire after questioning why U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wear masks during enforcement operations. Rivera’s comments—posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night—were quickly met with a wave of backlash from law enforcement professionals, policy experts, and social media users who accused him of ignoring basic security protocols.

“Cops do not wear masks. They deal with the most dangerous elements in society. Why do ICE agents wear masks? What are they hiding?” Rivera asked in his post. He followed up with another message listing several law enforcement roles—judges, sheriffs, FBI agents, and marshals—who, according to him, don’t cover their faces, saying “Only ICE agents” do.

The criticism came fast. “You know nothing about law enforcement families and their risks,” one user wrote. Another, a retired officer from Dallas with nearly 30 years of experience, responded: “I like you, but just like with Al Capone’s vault, you embarrass yourself here.”

Critics also pointed out Rivera’s lack of context, noting that tactical teams across multiple federal agencies—including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—have used masks for decades in high-risk or covert operations. One user referenced the 1993 Waco siege and added, “It’s easy to look this stuff up.”

Some reactions were even more blunt. “And you know this. So f**k off,” one user posted.

Rivera’s comments revived a longstanding debate around ICE’s use of plain clothes, unmarked vehicles, and masked agents—particularly in urban areas such as Los Angeles and Hartford. Immigration activists and some Democratic lawmakers have argued that the tactic erodes transparency and public trust. But ICE has consistently defended the practice on safety grounds.

During a press conference in June, ICE official Matthew Lyons explained the need for facial coverings: “We ran an operation where ICE officers were doxed. People are out there taking photos of the names and their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves. I’m sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but I’m not going to let my officers put their lives and their families’ lives on the line because people don’t like immigration enforcement.”

The Department of Homeland Security clarified that there is no federal law prohibiting face coverings. Agents are required to identify themselves “as soon as it is practical and safe,” but showing their face is not mandatory.

Still, some lawmakers want to change that. California Democrats have introduced legislation to ban non-medical face coverings during law enforcement operations and mandate visible name and badge display. At the federal level, the VISIBLE Act—backed by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—seeks similar rules, except in covert or hazardous situations.

Opponents argue these proposals ignore the real-world threats federal agents face. “The people who complain about ICE masks never say a word about Antifa rioters doing the same thing,” one post read. “They’re not worried about transparency. They’re just anti-enforcement.”

As of now, Rivera has not issued a follow-up statement. ICE and DHS have not announced any changes to policy in light of the controversy.

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