California Bans Masked ICE Operations

State Sen. Scott Wiener's bill, spurred by viral videos and AI-powered unmasking campaigns, sets stage for federal showdown.

GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM ON SATURDAY SIGNED the first-in-the-nation law barring law-enforcement officers — including federal immigration agents — from concealing their faces while on duty, a direct response to masked ICE arrests during mass raids in the Los Angeles region. The measure takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and is expected to draw an immediate federal court challenge over whether California can restrict the conduct of federal officers operating in the state.