PLATE Act

The PLATE Act (Protecting License-plate Access for Transparency and Enforcement Act) would restrict how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) use federal funds for vehicles conducting immigration enforcement activities. Specifically, the bill would prohibit these agencies from obscuring, removing, or otherwise manipulating license plates on vehicles they own, lease, or rent. The legislation responds to reports that ICE agents have been systematically swapping, covering, or removing license plates to hide their identities and evade public scrutiny during enforcement operations. If enacted, the bill would require immigration enforcement vehicles to display valid, matching license plates that correspond to the actual vehicle, making it easier for the public and state authorities to track and identify federal vehicles conducting immigration enforcement activities. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.