California Becomes First State to Ban Law Enforcement from Wearing Masks During Official Duties
LOS ANGELES — California will be the first state to ban most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces while conducting official business, under a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday.
The ban comes as California’s direct response to a recent series of immigration raids in Los Angeles, where federal agents wore masks while making mass arrests. These raids sparked dayslong protests across the city and prompted President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops and Marines to the area.
However, it remains unclear how or whether the state can enforce the ban on federal agents who have been carrying out the raids. A Homeland Security official called the legislation “despicable” in a statement this week, adding that the ban would only put officers in danger.
California’s Save Haven Schools Act
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) spoke at a press conference in Los Angeles, saying, “Students cannot learn if they live in fear of being deported. The California Save Haven Schools Act is a clear message to Donald Trump: ‘keep ICE out of our schools.’”
In response, the Department of Homeland Security sent letters Friday to the attorneys general in California, Illinois, and New York, reinforcing previous instructions that Democrat-led states honor detainers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for “criminal illegal aliens within their jurisdictions.”
DHS stated on Saturday that if states fail to comply, it would pursue “all appropriate measures to end their inadvisable and irresponsible obstruction.”
Governor Newsom’s Statement and the New Law
Governor Newsom, a Democrat who has criticized federal agents’ use of masks during official business, said the measure will help California push back against federal overreach. He signed the bill in Los Angeles, surrounded by state lawmakers and members of the immigrant community.
The new law prohibits neck gaiters, ski masks, and other facial coverings for local and federal officers — including immigration enforcement agents — while conducting official business. Exceptions are made for undercover agents, medical masks such as N95 respirators, or tactical gear. Notably, it does not apply to state police.
Federal Response and Ongoing Debate
Trump administration officials have consistently defended the practice of wearing masks, stating that immigration agents have faced increasing harassment both in public and online as they enforce immigration policies. Masking identities, they argue, is for their and their families’ safety.
Federal agents are already instructed to identify themselves and wear vests labeled ICE or Homeland Security during operations, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a recent statement.
“The men and women at CBP, ICE, and all of our federal law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens,” McLaughlin added.
Similar Measures Across the Country
Democrats in Congress and lawmakers in several states — including Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania — have introduced similar proposals calling for mask bans for law enforcement officers.
Proponents argue that the ban is especially necessary after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the federal government can resume sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles.
The new law aims to boost public trust in law enforcement and prevent impersonation of officers to commit crimes.
Legal Perspective and Broader Context
Constitutional law expert Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California, Berkeley, supports the legislation. He noted that federal employees must generally follow state rules unless doing so significantly interferes with their duties. For example, federal employees must stop at red lights while on the job, emphasizing states do hold authority in many circumstances.
The rising number of high-profile immigration enforcement actions has already been contentious, dividing supporters and opponents of the Trump administration’s policies. The involvement of masked agents has introduced a new level of conflict.
Additional Measures Signed by Newsom
The mask ban is one of several measures passed by the Democratic-controlled California Legislature in response to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. On Saturday, Newsom also signed legislation that prevents immigration agents from entering schools and health care facilities without a valid warrant or judicial order.
Additionally, schools are now required to notify parents and teachers when immigration agents are on campus. These measures reflect the state lawmakers’ commitment to safeguarding California’s progressive values.
Earlier this year, the Legislature also authorized allocating $50 million to California’s Department of Justice and other legal groups, which has led to over 40 lawsuits against the federal administration.
Reporting by Bellisle from Seattle and Tran Nguyen from Sacramento.
