Judge blocks California regulation banning federal brokers from sporting masks | EUROtoday

A federal choose has briefly halted a California regulation that sought to ban federal immigration brokers from concealing their faces whereas on obligation. Despite the block, brokers will nonetheless be mandated to show clear identification, together with their company and badge quantity.

California turned the primary state to enact such a ban on facial coverings for many regulation enforcement officers, a measure signed into regulation in September following a summer season marked by high-profile Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles.

The Trump administration subsequently filed a lawsuit in November, contending that the laws jeopardised officer security by exposing them to harassment, doxing and violence, and unconstitutionally regulated the federal authorities.

Judge Christina Snyder issued the preliminary ruling, explaining that the masks ban, as applied, didn’t prolong to state regulation enforcement authorities, thereby discriminating in opposition to federal companies. This choice may carry vital nationwide implications as different states grapple with methods to handle federal brokers implementing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

It left open the chance to future laws banning federal brokers from sporting masks if it utilized to all regulation enforcement companies, with Snyder writing “the Court finds that federal officers can carry out their federal features with out sporting masks.” The ruling will go into impact Feb. 19.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the invoice in September banning some regulation enforcement officers from sporting masks, neck gaiters, and different facial coverings. It was slated to enter impact Jan. 1 however was placed on maintain because of the lawsuit.

In addition to exempting state regulation enforcement officers, it made exceptions for undercover brokers, protecting tools like N95 respirators or tactical gear, and different conditions the place not sporting a masks would jeopardize an operation. Snyder sided with the federal authorities, which argued this exemption was discriminatory in opposition to federal brokers.

Newsom additionally signed into regulation a measure requiring regulation enforcement to put on clear identification exhibiting their company and badge quantity whereas on the job, which was challenged by the federal authorities however upheld by the choose.

California State Sen. Scott Weiner, who proposed the unique invoice to ban facial coverings, mentioned Monday he would instantly introduce new laws to incorporate state police within the regulation.

“ICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability,” Weiner mentioned in a information launch. “We will ensure our mask ban can be enforced.”

At a Jan. 14 listening to, Snyder repeatedly requested the federal government’s lawyer, Tiberius Davis, to clarify why banning masks would impede the federal regulation enforcement in finishing up their duties, if officers hardly ever wore masks previous to 2025.

Davis cited claims by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that there was a multifold improve in assaults and threats in opposition to federal officers. He additionally introduced up an incident in Los Angeles the place three girls are being accused of livestreaming whereas following an ICE agent dwelling and posting the handle on Instagram.

“There is real deterrence on the officer’s safety and ability to perform their duties,” Davis mentioned.

Cameron Bell, California Department of Justice lawyer, challenged his claims, saying there was no concrete proof that federal brokers can’t carry out their duties with out facial coverings.

Bell referenced declarations from U.S residents who’ve been detained by federal brokers however thought they have been being kidnapped.

“It’s obvious why these laws are in the public interest,” Bell mentioned.

The federal authorities additionally argued in authorized briefs that permitting California’s laws may lead different states to be “emboldened to impose similar unconstitutional restraints.”

Davis cited an announcement from Newsom in July 2025 throughout an interview posted on-line the place he mentioned the masks ban invoice, saying, “It appears that we don’t have the legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement authorities.”

Los Angeles County supervisors voted in December to enact an area ordinance banning regulation enforcement from sporting masks that went into impact Jan. 8. However, the sheriff’s division mentioned it might not implement the ordinance till after the courtroom dominated on the statewide masks ban. The Los Angeles Police Department had additionally mentioned it wouldn’t implement the masks ban.