In a bizarre turn of events, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were reportedly spotted donning eerie Halloween masks during their operations in Los Angeles. The unsettling sight included masks resembling Chucky, the notorious haunted doll from horror films, and ‘Momo,’ a character from a viral internet challenge that has captivated and disturbed many online.
Eyewitnesses captured images of these masked figures as they exited the San Pedro facility early on a Friday morning. The agents, perceived to be in disguise, were seen leaving the Terminal Island facility at approximately 7:30 a.m.
This particular unmarked van, recognized from a previous raid in Van Nuys earlier that week, was noted by local sources, including a report from LA Taco. The presence of the same vehicle at both locations adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding events.
According to a member of the Harbor Area Peace Patrol, a group actively monitoring immigration raids, the agents seemed to be in high spirits. “They were laughing as they were heading out,” the activist recounted to the media outlet, highlighting the bizarre and somewhat unsettling nature of the spectacle.
The same unmarked van had previously been seen at a raid in Van Nuys on Tuesday, LA Taco reported.
‘They were laughing as they were heading out,’ An activist with Harbor Area Peace Patrol who was monitoring the suspected raid told the outlet.
‘They have fun while doing it, which is deeply disturbing. We expect some level of decorum from government officials.’
When DHS was contacted by news agencies about the incident, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs, succinctly responded: ‘Happy Halloween!’
The Daily Mail has reached out to DHS for comment.
Harbor Area Peace Patrollers claim they caught Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing a Momo and Chucky mask as they drove out of the San Pedro facility on Halloween
The two suspected agents were seen living the Terminal Island facility around 7:30am on Friday. ‘They were laughing as they were heading out,’ Harbor Area Peace Patroller, who was not identified, said
The patroller said the individual in the Chucky mask, who was sitting in the backseat, rolled the window down as they drove past.
The Harbor Area Peace Patrollers have been surveying the area since June after allegedly noticing ICE agents parked up nearby.
Patrollers cross-reference vehicles they see leaving the facility to be able to tell locals to be on the lookout.
Federal agents have been seen wearing black medical masks for months to conceal their identity as assaults on them are up 1,000 percent, according to DHS.
Threats against officers are up 8,000 percent, the agency said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has sign a law that bans ICE agents from wearing masks while working, which has not gone back into effect. It will start January 1.
The move has been slammed by police and security experts alike, who say it places agents at risk of retaliation for doing their jobs.
Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, told that the bill was ‘despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.’
Federal agents have been seen wearing black medical masks for months to conceal their identity as assaults on them are up 1,000 percent, according to DHS. Threats are up 8,000 percent (pictured: a Los Angeles raid in June)
Governor Newsom called the use of masks among federal law enforcement ‘terrifying’ and ‘dystopian.’
He lamented ICE using unmarked cars and people ‘quite literally disappearing’ without due process.
Newsom countered that McLaughlin’s rising assault figure and claims of agents getting doxxed are unfounded by the statistics.
‘There’s an assertion that somehow there is an exponential increase in assaults on officers, but they will not provide the data,’ he said. ‘All they have provided is misinformation and misdirection.’
The mask ban made it a misdemeanor crime for local and federal law enforcement to wear neck gaiters, ski masks and other facial coverings while conduction official business.
Elsewhere Illinois Governor JB Pritzker asked DHS to temporarily pause raids on Friday for the Halloween festivities.
Secretary Kristi Noem did not take kindly to the suggestion, saying at a press conference: ‘We’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe.
‘The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful… especially when we’re going to send all of our kiddos out on the streets and going to events and enjoying the holiday season.’
Around 493,000 migrants have been deported since Trump took office in January, while another 1.6 million have self-deported, sparking protests across the country, including in Los Angeles (pictured)
Pritzker, however, said: ‘Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick-or-treating in their own neighborhood.
‘Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.’
Around 493,000 migrants have been deported since Trump took office in January, while another 1.6 million have self-deported.
Another 457,000 illegal migrants have been arrested by ICE agents since January, as McLaughlin says law enforcement has made ‘meteoric progress to carry out President Trump’s promise of arresting and deporting illegal aliens who have invaded our country.’
