Plainclothes and Gear Patterns

Plainclothes and Gear Patterns

How ICE agents dress and present themselves during enforcement actions, based on 2025 patterns and documented tactics.

ICE rarely operates in a traditional, easily identifiable “uniform.” Most field operations use a mix of plainclothes agents, tactical gear with ambiguous markings, or deceptive identification meant to resemble local police. Recognizing these patterns helps you document ICE operations accurately and avoid confusion with local law enforcement or impersonators.

1. Plainclothes Agents

In 2025, many ICE operations involve agents in everyday civilian clothing:

• Jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, or button-downs
• Baseball caps, beanies, or face coverings
• Only a badge on a lanyard or clipped to the belt

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Plainclothes is especially common during:

• At-home arrests
• Early-morning raids
• Street pickups
• Vehicle-based operations using unmarked cars

If a person claims to be police but is dressed like a civilian, ask for **agency ID** or observe for:

• Belt-mounted badge
• Radio earpieces
• Holstered weapon
• Tactical belt gear

2. “POLICE” or “FEDERAL AGENT” Gear

ICE regularly wears gear labeled “POLICE” rather than “ICE,” which misleads people into believing they are local law enforcement.

Common patterns include:

• Black or navy tactical vests
• “POLICE” in white block lettering
• No agency name (ICE/HSI/CBP) displayed
• Concealable plate carriers worn under a hoodie
• Lightweight jackets with small Velcro patches

This tactic is used to:

• Reduce public recognition
• Make bystanders think the action is a local criminal arrest
• Avoid drawing attention during at-home operations

Assume “POLICE” alone does **not** mean local police.

3. Tactical Vests with Velcro Patches

ICE frequently uses removable, interchangeable patches:

• “POLICE”
• “ICE”
• “HSI”
• “FEDERAL AGENT”

Because the patches are removable, agents can switch identification within seconds. Patches may appear:

• On the chest
• On the back
• On the right or left shoulder

The presence or absence of a patch is not reliable. Recording **all visible patches** helps determine whether the operation was ERO, HSI, or joint with another agency.

4. Masks and Covered Faces

Many 2025 operations feature agents with:

• Surgical masks
• Balaclavas
• Neck gaiters
• Baseball caps pulled low

State attorneys general in 2025 raised concerns about “masked, unidentifiable” federal agents refusing to show identification. This makes:

• Identification harder
• Impersonation easier
• Accountability nearly impossible

If agents are masked and refuse to identify themselves, document it.

5. Hidden or Missing Badges

ICE agents often:

• Keep badges tucked inside vests
• Flash badges quickly without letting bystanders read them
• Display badge wallets without showing the actual badge
• Rely on “POLICE” lettering instead of proper ID

Visible signs may include:

• Belt-mounted badge holders
• Radio wires under clothing
• Tactical belts concealed under untucked shirts

If you cannot clearly read their badge, note that in documentation.

6. Gear Consistency Across Teams

Typical shared equipment in ICE operations:

• Black tactical vests
• Utility belts with handcuffs, radios, flashlights
• Plain pistols in black holsters
• Chest rigs for paperwork
• Rolled-up warrant folders
• Body cameras (not always activated)

You may also see:

• Gloves
• Tactical boots
• Soft armor under sweaters or hoodies

Because ICE, HSI, and CBP sometimes operate together, mixed gear is common.

7. Red Flags for Impersonation

In 2025, impersonation of federal agents increased, according to FBI and state law enforcement warnings.

Red flags include:

• No badge shown at all
• No agency name (ICE/HSI/CBP) visible anywhere
• Generic “POLICE” vest with no other identification
• Unmarked vehicle + masked agent + refusal to identify
• Demanding entry without showing a judicial warrant
• Vague claims like “investigation” or “paperwork check”

If identity is unclear, document everything:

• Vehicle plates
• Gear
• Patches
• Voices/commands
• Number of individuals

See Also

• ICE Vehicle Identification
• Vehicles
• Know Your Rights