50 signatures reached
To: New York State Legislators and Assemblymembers
Support the MELT (Mandating End of Lawless Tactics) Act
We, the undersigned residents and registered voters of New York State, strongly urge our State Legislators and Assemblymembers to support and advance the Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act (S.8462/A.8908), sponsored by State Senator Patricia Fahy, State Senator Shelly B. Mayer, and Assemblymember Tony Simone.
In July, Congress poured $170 billion into a “Deportation Industrial Complex,” swelling the Department of Homeland Security into the nation’s largest agency and with billions of dollars now flowing into tactical units, unmarked vehicle fleets, and intelligence operations, the result is a dangerous expansion of what increasingly resembles a paramilitary force functioning with minimal oversight.
This legislation would ban the use of face coverings and plainclothes by ICE and other federal enforcement agents during civilian immigration actions conducted in New York State.
We call on you to stand with your constituents in protecting civil liberties, public trust and public safety and demanding transparency and accountability of law enforcement, in New York State.
Why is this important?
The MELT (Mandating End of Lawless Tactics) Act
• will protect New Yorkers from impersonation or intimidation by federal agents
• will increase transparency in law enforcement
• ensure ICE’s actions are not conducted with anonymity in New York
As co-sponsor Senator Shelley B. Mayer stated: “The conduct that is being promoted by ICE - using masked agents without clear ID - runs directly counter to the best practices of policing and public safety.”