California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) Signed a Bill Saturday, Prohibiting Federal Agents from wearing Identity Concealing Masks during Enforcement Operations, a Controversial Practice that the Expected Contender for the Democratic Presidental Nomination in 2028, likened to “a dystopian sci-fi movie.”
The Legislation, which appears to be the First of its kind Signed into Law in the Country, seeks to End a CommonPpractice among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents, that Critics say Erodes Transparency, Fosters Fear, and raises Concerns that Criminals could try to Pose as Federal Officers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has maintained that using Masks to Shield ICE Agents’ Faces protects Them against Harassment and Doxing. Doxing is the Act of Publicly providing Personally Identifiable Information about an Individual or Organization,
“To ICE — unmask. What are you afraid of?” Newsom said during a News Conference in Los Angeles on Saturday. “You’re going to go out. You’re going to do enforcement. Provide an ID. Tell us which agency you represent. Provide us basic information that all local law enforcement is required to provide.”
The Mask Ban was One of Five Bills Newsom Signed Saturday, to push back against Trump’s (R) Immigration Crackdown. The Legislation won’t take effect until Jan. 1st 2026, and it remains Unclear whether the State can Legally Regulate Federal Agents.
DHS Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin called the Legislation “despicable” and a “flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.” McLaughlin said "immigration enforcement agents have seen an increase in assaults and have had rocks and molotov cocktails thrown at them." She added that "Anyone who doxes federal agents will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law".
The California State Sheriffs’ Association also Opposed the Bill, Arguing in Legislative Filings, that its Exceptions were too Narrow and the Ban would “almost certainly be challenged in court” and RejectedFfederal Authorities, and leave Local Law Enforcement “left to deal with the new and unwieldy requirements.”
Under the Bill, Officers performing Law Enforcement Duties will Not be Allowed to wear Balaclavas, Tactical Masks, Gators, Ski Masks or “any similar type of facial covering or face-shielding item.” Willful Violations could be Punished as Infractions or Misdemeanors, according to the Bill’s Text.
N95 Medical Masks and Surgical Masks to Protect against Disease are Exempt from the Ban. The Law also Grants Exemptions to Undercover Agents and SWAT Teams.
There is No Constitutional Protection or Prohibition against Immigration Officers’ wearing of Masks or Face Coverings. But it’s Not a Standard Law Enforcement Practice, out of Concern that it creates a Sense of Intimidation and Fear.
The Other Bills in the Legislation Package Newsom Signed Saturday, Prohibit Schools from Allowing ICE Agents to Enter withoIt a Valid Judicial Warrant, require School Administrators to Notify Families if Agents are Present on Campus, Prohibit Health Care Officials from Sharing a Patient’s immigration Status without a Search Warrant and require All Law Enforcement to Display Identification or Badge Numbers.
“Immigrants have rights and we have the right to stand up and push back and that’s what we’re doing here today,” Newsom said.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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