California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a bill prohibiting local and federal law enforcement officers, including those from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from wearing face masks while on duty. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is part of a broader initiative aimed at increasing transparency in law enforcement practices. Newsom characterized the move as a way to safeguard residents from the presence of “secret police.”
In response to the legislation, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a Trump appointee, asserted that California lacks jurisdiction over federal operations. He claimed the law would not impact their enforcement actions, stating agents would continue to maintain their identities under operational protocols.
The law was introduced in part as a reaction to incidents where federal agents wore masks during immigration enforcement activities in Los Angeles, leading to public concern. However, the legislation includes exceptions for undercover agents, medical masks, and tactical gear.
Recently, President Trump increased immigration enforcement efforts, especially during his second term, including deploying military personnel to Los Angeles amidst protests against federal actions. The law’s sponsor, State Senator Scott Wiener, stated it is essential to prevent masked officers from operating without accountability in communities.
The new law follows a Supreme Court decision allowing specific immigration enforcement practices to continue without the requirement of reasonable suspicion, raising questions regarding racial profiling. Alongside the mask ban, another bill mandates law enforcement officers to identify themselves with their name and badge number during their duties.
In addition, new regulations prevent federal agents from entering schools without warrants and require families to be notified of any such presence. Non-public areas of hospitals are similarly safeguarded from unwarranted searches by law enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the legislation, suggesting it jeopardizes the safety of officers engaged in immigration enforcement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8rrprv90xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss