DENVER A proposal that would ban ICE agents and other law enforcement officers from wearing masks in Denver is closer to becoming a law after it advanced out a City Council committee Wednesday.The proposal by Council members Fl or Alvidrez and Shontel Lewis, which Denver7 first reported on in early January, was amended earlier in the day and also now requires law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to clearly identify themselves with a visible ID from at least 25 feet away when operating within city limits.Officers who do not comply with the masking or ID requirements, including federal agents, could be cited or arrested by the Denver Police Department (DPD).The measure, which is not yet finalized, will head for a first vote by the full council on Feb. 23.Council member Alvidrez told Denver7 earlier this week the proposal was created in response to concerns about masked and unidentified officers operating in public spaces following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota by federal agents."It came directly from community members concerned about... if we are going to make requirements, why not go further?" said Alvidrez. "It's creating fear, unrest and confusion in our communities, and this is to help de-escalate and keep our community safe."In a presentation before the citys Budget and Policy Committee last month, the council women said the problem with federal agents using face masks is that it "erodes public trust, and makes it difficult for residents to verify authority and increases fear and confusion while allowing for 'imposters' to pretend to be enforcement. Check out part of their presentation here or in the embed below:The measure does include exemptions for things like undercover operations, SWAT and tactical responses and medical or protective gear, the council members said, and it applies to any officers using city resources or facilities no matter the agency.Jon Caldara, the president of the Independence Institute, spoke about the proposal last month, telling Denver7 that while he agrees federal agents should not wear face masks, he doesn't believe local leaders can do anything about it.In response, Alvidrez said the city does have authority over public safety and the use of city resources even if it cant change federal law itself.She stressed that the proposal is not meant to target ICE agents, but aims instead to reduce the risk of residents or other officers misunderstanding whats happening when law enforcement is conducting an operation in the city.It's our responsibility to our constituents to provide a sense of public safety, and when people are afraid to go outside and go about their lives, they need to be able to know if a man in a mask is running up to them," said Alvidrez. "Is this actually someone stealing from me? Is this a criminal? Is this a federal officer? Right now, we have no way for people to know what's happening."What will enforcement look like?When asked if DPD had agreed to citing or arresting officers or agents who do not comply with the measure, Alvidrez said they're leaving those conversations "to the discernment of the Public Safety Team and the Chief of Police."Brian Pacelko, the president of the Denver Police Protection Association, told Denver7 their main concern about the ordinance remains enforcement."What will happen if an officer does take enforcement action, and a federal agent then tries to arrest that officer for impeding their operation? What happens to them if they're charged with a crime? Is there an internal affairs process? Are they sent home? Are they suspended without pay?" asked Pacelko. "These are our main concerns with how these things are going to affect our officers and their well being."When Denver7 took these questions to Alvidrez, she was hesitant to provide a definite answer."It will have to be a lot of investigation... what my conversations have been with police, is that they will be on scene if there is an imminent threat," Alvidrez said. "They will not be on scene if there is everything is being followed by the law. Their goal is never to interfere with federal supremacy. It's just holding bad actors accountable."In a statement to Denver7, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the councils proposal despicable. Read her full statement below: Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers. To be crystal clear: we will not abide by this unconstitutional ban. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that Denvers sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement. Our officers wear masks to protect themselves from being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers. Not only is ICE law enforcement facing a more than 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them, but weve also seen thugs launch websites to reveal officers identity. The men and women at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and all of our federal law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens. Make no mistake, this type of demonization is contributing to the surge in assaults of law enforcement officers.If approved on a second reading, the proposal would take effect immediately, though city departments would still need to finalize enforcement procedures and training.Denver7 reporters Sophia Villalba and Veronica Acosta contributed to this report. ...read more read less