'Happy Halloween!': DHS spokeswoman responds to report of immigration agents wearing horror masks in L.A. [View all]

Source: NBC News

Oct. 31, 2025, 12:16 PM EDT


A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman offered a two-word reply Friday in response to a local news report that said immigration agents were seen wearing Halloween masks in the Los Angeles area. “Happy Halloween!” DHS assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote to NBC News when asked about the report.

The story by the local news site LA Taco featured images posted to social media showing what the outlet says were agents in unmarked cars donning Chucky and Momo masks. It said a member of the Harbor Area Peace Patrol, which monitors federal activity in the area, spotted the vehicle with the Momo mask-wearing driver at an immigration raid on Tuesday.

An activist with Harbor Area Peace Patrol told NBC News that he observed cars previously used on immigration raids leaving an ICE staging area on Tuesday, as they typically do ahead of raids. Two people in the cars were wearing masks – one Momo, the other Chucky. “We are out there six days a week," said the activist, who only wanted to be identified as Victor. "We take pictures of the cars as they leave. We put information out for the community to be aware."

McLaughlin declined to say whether the masks were being worn by ICE officers or Border Patrol agents. She also did not comment on whether the use of such masks would increase assaults on ICE officers if those being arrested attempt to fight back against costumed agents unaware that they’re law enforcement.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/happy-halloween-dhs-spokeswoman-responds-report-immigration-agents-wea-rcna241105