Overview

• California’s SB 627, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, prohibits opaque facial coverings by officers during operations and requires each agency to publish a masking policy by July 1, 2026.
• The law allows narrow exceptions for authorized undercover work, tactical protection, medical masks and SWAT deployments, and creates a minimum $10,000 damages remedy for abuses by masked officers.
• DHS stated on Sept. 22 that it will not comply with the measure, asserting federal agents need anonymity and calling the state law unconstitutional.
• Department officials cite a reported more‑than‑1,000% surge in assaults, doxxing and vehicle attacks targeting ICE personnel, a warning echoed publicly by Secretary Kristi Noem.
• Companion bills restrict immigration enforcement at schools and health‑care areas and require campus notifications, while Los Angeles activists launched Operation Liberty to document ICE activity with staffed vans, drawing support from Mayor Karen Bass.