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Original Date Announced
October 29, 2025NPR News reports that some vehicles involved in immigration arrests are operating without license plates or with swapped plates in enforcement hotspots like Illinois, California, and Washington. Witnesses and activists have reported similar behavior, and Illinois’ secretary of state has condemned plate-swapping as illegal. NPR asked ICE to respond to specific photos and videos showing plate removal or manipulation, but the agency did not address the examples.
Trump 2.0 [ID #2079]
2025.10.29 Reported: Camouflaging cars and swapping license plates: How agents make immigration arrests - NPR NewsSubsequent Trump and Court Action
May 12, 20262025.05.12 DOJ - Letter to Governor Healey
DOJ's Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate sent a letter to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, alleging that the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is refusing to issue confidential/undercover registrations and license plates to ICE immigration-enforcement personnel and is issuing them to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) only after they certify that their vehicles will be used only in criminal investigations. The letter states that the policy violates the Supremacy Clause and is "deeply dangerous as a matter of public safety." It asks the Governor to require the RMV to rescind its policy and issue undercover registrations and license plates to all federal law-enforcement agencies.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
June 18, 20262026.06.18 Complaint - United States v. Philadelphia
DOJ sued the City of Philadelphia, challenging a city ordinance barring federal law-enforcement officers from concealing their identity, requiring officers to display their badge and other official identifying-information, and restricting use of unmarked vehicles. The ordinance, effective June 2026, also requires law-enforcement officials to identify themselves to a subject of arrest, holding, or detention. DOJ's complaint alleges that the measure could endanger officers by exposing them to harassment, doxing, and violence, and that it unlawfully regulates the federal government in violation of the Supremacy Clause. United States v. Philadelphia, No. 2:26-cv-04208 (E.D. Pa.).
**Link to case here. See litigation note above**
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: ReportedTrump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: EnforcementAgencies Affected: ICEAssociated or Derivative Policies
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2025.05.12 DOJ - Letter to Governor Healey
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2026.06.18 Complaint - United States v. Philadelphia
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