Latest News
California Bans Police And ICE Agents From Wearing Masks On Duty In Pushback Against Federal Raids
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping new law banning local and federal law enforcement officers, including US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, from wearing face masks while on duty. The ban, which takes effect on 1 January 2026, is part of a package of legislation aimed at countering what Newsom described as “secret police” tactics following recent immigration raids in Los Angeles.
The law, authored by Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener, makes exceptions for undercover officers, masks required for health reasons or wildfire protection, and certain tactical gear. It comes after federal agents were seen wearing face coverings during raids in Los Angeles earlier this year—operations that sparked violent protests and intensified tensions between California and President Donald Trump’s administration.
“No one wants masked officers roaming their communities and kidnapping people with impunity,” Wiener said. “California will continue to stand for the rule of law and for basic freedoms.”
The legislation also requires law enforcement officers to identify themselves by name and badge number while on duty. Other provisions signed into law restrict federal immigration enforcement on school grounds, preventing agents from entering campuses without a judicial warrant, court order, or subpoena. Families must also be informed if officers arrive at schools, and student records and classrooms are explicitly protected. Similar protections have been extended to non-public areas of hospitals and emergency rooms.
Newsom defended the measures as necessary safeguards for immigrant communities. “Immigrants have rights and we have the right to stand up and push back,” he said.
Federal officials, however, sharply criticised the move. US Attorney Bill Essayli, a Trump appointee, insisted the state has “no jurisdiction over the federal government” and said ICE operations would not be affected. The Department of Homeland Security also condemned the legislation. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described it as “despicable” and accused California leaders of endangering federal officers. “Make no mistake, this type of rhetoric is contributing to the surge in assaults of officers through their repeated vilification and demonisation,” she said.
The measures come after the US Supreme Court allowed immigration enforcement stops in Los Angeles to continue without requiring reasonable suspicion that a person may be undocumented. That ruling means officers can question and detain individuals based on race, language, or occupation while legal challenges to the raids proceed.
California’s defiance reflects a broader national pushback against Trump’s hard-line immigration policies. In August, Chicago’s mayor signed an order detailing how the city would resist a potential federal crackdown. With the new laws, California has positioned itself at the forefront of legal and political resistance to Washington’s escalating immigration enforcement drive.
