Critics warn that agents' tactic of masking spreads fear and panic across communities and imperils citizens as well as immigrants without legal status.

An ICE spokesperson told CBS New York the masks are optional but that "ICE law enforcement and their families are being targeted and are facing a 500% increase in assaults ... due to the demonization of ICE by hostile groups and irresponsible elected officials."

California and a coalition of 17 other states have backed a lawsuit calling for an end to unconstitutional immigration stops in Los Angeles.