Sarasota Herald Tribune
In a December 24th online Herald Tribune article, Ana Goñi-Lessan
reported on bill SB 316 filed by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando.
SB 316, titled “Law Enforcement and Immigration Officer Identifying
Information and Face Coverings,” requires covered immigration officers
to wear specified visible identification during public immigration
enforcement functions.
Florida’s proposed SB 316 affirms a basic democratic principle:
when the government exercises coercive power in public,
it must do so openly and accountably.
Throughout American history, masked authority has been
associated not with lawful governance but with intimidation
and vigilantism. That is why our legal traditions emphasize
visible identification, clear authority, and accountability
when arrests are made.
SB 316 does not oppose immigration enforcement.
It supports public safety by reducing confusion, fear,
and escalation during encounters that can quickly turn
dangerous for both civilians and officers. Clear identification
protects everyone. While officers facing specific threats
may need limited protections, routine masking during
ordinary public arrests undermines trust and erodes the
legitimacy of law enforcement itself.
Florida can—and should—stand for transparency,
due process, and the rule of law. SB 316 moves us
closer to those values and deserves serious consideration.