California Enacts Ban on Masked Law Enforcement, Targeting ICE

Mon Sep 29 2025 00:16:36 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Governor Gavin Newsom signs a bill prohibiting federal and local law enforcement, including ICE agents, from wearing masks, citing the need for transparency and accountability.

California has officially banned local and federal law enforcement, including ICE, from wearing face masks while on duty starting January 1, 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom's legislation aims to protect residents from unidentifiable officers, which he describes as 'secret police.' The law has faced criticism from federal officials who argue it infringes on their operations, while support for the ban rises among those concerned about transparency in law enforcement.

California's governor has signed a bill to ban local and federal law enforcement officers, including those with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from wearing face masks while on duty.

The ban, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, is part of a series of legislative measures aimed at protecting California residents from what Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has characterized as 'secret police' operating without accountability on the streets.

US Attorney Bill Essayli, appointed by former President Trump, responded that California 'has no jurisdiction over the federal government,' claiming the law will 'have no effect on our operations' and that agents 'will continue to protect their identities.'

This legislation was introduced following incidents of federal agents wearing masks during immigration raids in Los Angeles. It aims to ensure that residents can identify the officers enforcing immigration laws.

Exceptions to the ban include undercover agents, masks required for health reasons, and those used as part of tactical gear.

California State Senator Scott Wiener, the bill's sponsor, emphasized that communities deserve to see the identities of officers in their neighborhoods, stating, 'No one wants masked officers roaming their communities and kidnapping people with impunity.'

The announcement of this law comes amid a broader context where Immigration enforcement practices have come under scrutiny, particularly following Supreme Court rulings that allow increased discrimination based on race and language during stops by authorities.

In addition to the mask ban, other signed bills will enhance transparency by requiring law enforcement to identify themselves by name and badge number while acting in official capacities. These measures also restrict federal agents' access to schools and hospitals without appropriate legal warrants.

Governor Newsom remarked on the importance of standing up for the rights of immigrants, stating, 'Immigrants have rights, and we have the right to stand up and push back.'

In response, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the new law as 'despicable' and dangerous for officers' safety, arguing that the rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement has led to increased hostility against law enforcement personnel.

This legislative move underscores California's ongoing resistance against federal immigration policies perceived as aggressive, particularly during the Trump administration, which earlier deployed military forces in response to protests over immigration raids.