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1h ago

ICE, U.S. Attorney Reject California’s Mask Ban for On‑Duty Agents

Federal supremacy claims set up a likely court fight over California’s No Secret Police Act.

Masked federal agents wait inn the hallways outside the Immigration Courtrooms at Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, New York City on September 18, 2025.
FILE - A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent looks on during a protest outside the Federal Building on June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij, file)

Overview

  • Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 627 on Saturday, barring most face coverings by on‑duty law enforcement with narrow exceptions for undercover work and medical use.
  • DHS and ICE said they will not comply and labeled the law unconstitutional, citing what they describe as a roughly 1,000% surge in assaults and doxxing threats against agents.
  • Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California said the state has no authority over federal operations and instructed agents to disregard the statute.
  • Legal analyses highlight Supreme Court precedent limiting state prosecution of federal officers performing official duties, casting doubt on California’s ability to enforce the ban.
  • Essayli said he referred a Newsom press office post about DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to the Secret Service for review after it stated she was “going to have a bad day today.”