Letters to the Editor Published on February 4, 2026

In recent remarks by Senator John Fetterman regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the dialogue surrounding law enforcement and their engagement with the public has intensified. Fetterman suggested that ICE agents wear masks due to fears of doxing, a term that refers to the public disclosure of private information. This claim raises a critical question regarding the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

Critics argue that if these agencies operated in strict adherence to constitutional regulations, they might not feel the need to conceal their identities. There is a sentiment that when law enforcement upholds the law and earns public trust, the fear of retaliation or exposure diminishes. Advocates for reform suggest that a change in conduct among ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could alleviate this anxiety.

The ongoing discourse has also highlighted specific actions by ICE that raise ethical concerns. Instances of excessive force against protesters and the apprehension of legal citizens have led to questions about the agency’s practices. Such tactics contribute to an environment where individuals may feel justified in expressing their dissenting opinions, including doxing, particularly when law enforcement appears to not respect constitutional rights.

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is pivotal to reflect not only on the freedoms established but also on the philosophies that shaped them. Pennsylvania’s founding by William Penn can serve as a model for contemporary practice. Penn’s vision included a “Holy Experiment” based on principles of justice, peace, and love for one’s neighbor—tenets that supported religious tolerance and freedom of conscience.

Penn’s advocacy for liberty and fair laws has been memorialized through historical artifacts such as the Liberty Bell, commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this experiment. Its inscription from Leviticus 25:10, which proclaims liberty throughout the land, symbolizes the intertwined nature of faith and freedom.

In an era marked by division, revisiting the foundational values that underpin American liberty can inspire a return to the principles of respect and mutual understanding that William Penn espoused. The call for accountability and reform within law enforcement remains urgent, as it echoes the enduring quest for justice and liberty for all citizens.

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