In the face of a faceless projection of terror by federal ICE (Immigration and Customs

Enforcement) personnel, who have shot and killed American citizens in the street for exercising their 1st Amendment rights, lawmakers this afternoon passed out of assembly committee a bill requiring law enforcement officers to ditch masks that fail to properly identify them.

"We should know who is coming to talk to me [during a law enforcement stop]. I support law enforcement," said Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-15).

The bill passed 5-2.

Assembly Bill 1743 - sponsored by Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15) - requires "law enforcement officers to reveal facial identity during certain public interactions and to present sufficient identification prior to arresting or detaining person."

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20) (pictured, above) argued for the bill before the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee chaired by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17).

"This is not anti-law enforcement in any way, it simply requires officers to provide facial identification," said the assemblywoman. "The goal is straightforward."

Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-1) pushed back, arguing New Jersey officers already must identify themselves.

"Some of this stuff in this bill is already taken care of," said McCellan, who failed to see how a new state law will create sufficient teeth to clamp down on federal law enforcement officers.

"This bill addresses all officers," said Quijano.

The bill specifically attempts to change the habits of federal ICE agents.

An agency working with a $6 billion budget ten years ago suddenly beefed to $85 billion thanks to President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has intensified its presence in communities, armed and behind masks, cheered on by Trump, who pardoned 1,500 MAGA allies who desecrated the United States Capitol on Jan. 6. 2001.

Officer Brian Sicknick of New Jersey died on that day.

The secretive agency in the Trump era continues to amass a record of terror and murder in Minneapolis, facing urgent scrutiny in New Jersey in the aftermath of the ICE-killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

"I believe in our state police - the issue is here, protecting the residents," the assemblywoman said. "I'm trying to get to a method of protecting the residents."

Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-10) trashed the bill, and "illegal aliens."

"I'm here to make sure they all go home," Kanitra said. "This state has been taken over by you guys pandering to illegal aliens."

Scott Cox, representing the NJFOP, testified against the bill.

"The FOP is opposed to this bill as written," said Cox. "There are several issues we need to address. One of the amendments is a little ambiguous. There are many times when our officers are outside... under this bill they couldn't wear a scarf or a face covering [in the cold, while directing traffic]."

Cox identified other problems with the bill, in his judgement, including language that would impair the use of unmarked police vehicles. "Common sense language issues," he summed up. The NJFOP rep also expressed concern about the bill pitting New Jersey law enforcement against federal law enforcement.

Danielsen objected, arguing that federal ICE agent tactics routinely violate the Constitution. If legislators fail to act to protect citizens, they will be negligent and complicit.

"Do you find you're able to get as many applications for officers as you used to get?" Kanitra asked Cox.

Down to 20%.

"Do you feel attacks on law enforcement have increased substantially over the past decade or so?" the Assemblyman wanted to know.

Danielsen jumped in. "You're got to stay on the bill," he said. "The bill is incredibly focused."

Vehemently opposed to the bill, Kanitra later made the case that depriving ICE agents of masks would leave law enforcement personnel open to retribution. "Federal officers are facing an 8,000 percent increase in death threats," said the LD-10 Assemblyman. "This bill does nothing because there are so many exemptions in it anyway."

Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez (D-20) backed the bill.

"That woman is hiring anyone to work as bounty hunters on taxpayer dollars," he said of United States Attorney General Pam Bondi.

"No one is protected unless the United States Constitution is protected," said Danielsen, a military veteran. "It's said the Latino community is particularly being targeted. They helped build this nation. Our spiritual growth. ICE is operating now like Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany.

"ICE didn't always wear masks," added the committee chairman. "What they're doing now is terrorizing."

FULL STATEMENT BY ASSEMBLYMAN DANIELSEN HERE

Trump admitted ICE enforcement may need "a softer touch" in the face of a NPR/PBS/Marist poll conducted at the end of January, which reported that just 34% of registered voters approve of the job Immigration and Customs Enforcement is doing, while 61% disapprove. A Quinnipiac University poll, conducted from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, found 38% of registered voters approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration issues, compared with 59% who disapprove.