Wed Nov 06 09:30:42 UTC 2024: ## ICE Agents Didn’t Avoid Uniforms to Intimidate Voters: Fact Check Debunks Viral Claim
A viral video on Instagram falsely claimed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were told not to wear uniforms to the polls to avoid intimidating undocumented migrants voting in the November 5th election. The claim was spread by conservative commentator Ben Bergquam and amplified by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.
However, the White House and ICE have both confirmed that this claim is false. Non-citizens are ineligible to vote in federal elections and face severe penalties if they attempt to do so. Furthermore, federal law prohibits armed and civil law enforcement activity at polling places, except in cases of national security threats.
ICE officials were reminded not to wear uniforms while voting, not to intimidate voters, but due to a federal law prohibiting law enforcement actions at polling places. This is a standard practice for federal agencies during elections, with similar reminders issued to military personnel in 2020.
While the video contained an element of truth – ICE agents were indeed reminded about uniform policies – it ignored crucial facts surrounding the law and its purpose, making the claim “Mostly False.”
First Piper 