This line of reasoning is wildly offensive to almost everyone you’ve mentioned. To special forces, to Irish republicans, to Mexican federales.
These are immigration cops, arresting the world’s least threatening student, who face no credible threat whatsoever apart, possibly, from being identified as the enforcers of indefensible policy.
Being ashamed of what you’re doing isn’t an excuse to hide your face. You used to agree:
“The gathering of a group of people being masked is intimidation.“