
Indianapolis – June 13, 2025. Federal immigration officers confront some of the nation’s most merciless criminal enterprises. These include gangs like MS-13 and Tren De Aragua, whose members have been implicated in heinous crimes that include ritualized killings, victim intimidation, home invasions, and drug trafficking. Given this propensity for violence, it’s imperative to protect the identities of immigration officers, whose valiant efforts help keep our communities safe and protect our nation’s sovereignty. Unfortunately, there have been attempts, including those by some government officials, to release the names of immigration officers publicly. This shameful behavior, also known as doxxing, places officers and their families at grave risk of violence, swatting, intimidation, and harassment.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN) has introduced a timely bill in the U.S. Senate called the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act (S. 1952), which would make it a criminal act to publish the name of any federal police officer when the intent is to obstruct an immigration operation or criminal investigation. This bill, fully backed by the National Police Association (NPA), currently resides in the Judiciary Committee for deliberation. The text for the bill, once it’s made available, will be here.
The Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act follows actions by the Nashville mayor, whose office published the names and enforcement activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, after they arrested 200 illegal immigrants. The mayor had issued an executive order instructing city departments, including local law enforcement, to report any communications with federal immigration authorities.
These careless actions place officers and their families at risk, and they undermine a legitimate federal mandate.
Currently, it is against federal law to maliciously publish sensitive personal information about federal law enforcement officers and other groups, including federal jurors, witnesses, and informants. The penalty is a maximum term of five years imprisonment, fines, or both.
While the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act carries the same penalty, it differs from current law in that it would specifically criminalize the doxxing of a federal officer if done with the intent to obstruct a criminal investigation or a lawful immigration operation.
“At a time when the Department of Homeland Security is reporting a 413% increase in assaults on ICE officers, they need every possible shield provided by law,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “The Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act would provide these courageous officers with an added layer of protection that they and their families need and deserve,” Fitzsimmons added.
As federal immigration officers experience an increase in assaults and risk being targeted by some of the nation’s most violent criminals, some of our own citizens and government officials have made it easier for those with ill intent. The Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act would provide our brave immigration officers and their families with an added layer of defense, allowing them to continue the important work of protecting our nation. The NPA commends Sen. Blackburn for introducing this bill, and we urge all members of Congress to support it.
About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org.
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