Generally: NO — not as a routine tactic

There is no evidence of a formal Obama-era policy allowing or encouraging agents to routinely cover their faces during immigration arrests.

Former Acting ICE Director John Sandweg (Obama appointee) has said:

Masking was not common practice

It was rare and limited to exceptional, high-risk or undercover situations

Multiple legal and academic reviews conclude:

Widespread public-facing arrests by masked, unidentified agents is a recent development, largely beginning in 2025.

Were ICE Agents Held Accountable Under Obama?
Obama Era

More consistent oversight and discipline

Accountability mechanisms included:

DOJ Civil Rights Division investigations

DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) probes

Internal Affairs investigations

Public discipline and firings in misconduct cases

Stronger use of:

Body cameras (in pilot programs)

Written arrest and use-of-force policies

More cooperation with court-ordered consent decrees

there was:
✔ More paper trail
✔ Clearer identification
✔ Easier complaint filing
✔ Greater likelihood of internal discipline