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.
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The new statute, SB 627 (HT Angie)— dubbed the “No Secret Police Act” by its author, Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco — prohibits balaclavas, ski masks and neck gaiters and requires agencies to adopt a public facial-covering policy by July 1, 2026. Exemptions include undercover work, specified tactical operations, and protective medical or safety gear; SWAT assignments are also carved out. Violations can be charged as an infraction or misdemeanor, and the law creates enhanced civil liability for abuses committed while unlawfully masked.
Newsom’s signature capped a broader package targeting immigration enforcement tactics around sensitive locations. Separate bills require schools to notify families when immigration enforcement is on campus, bar agents from entering schools or non-public hospital areas without a judicial warrant, and mandate visible identification (name or badge number) for on-duty officers.
The Department of Homeland Security condemned the mask ban and signaled a legal fight, arguing that unmasking agents increases doxxing and assaults; California law-enforcement groups also opposed the bill as dangerous for officers and difficult to enforce on federal personnel. Legal scholars note that federal agents generally must follow neutral state rules unless doing so significantly interferes with federal duties — an issue likely to be tested quickly in court.
California officials and immigrant-rights advocates say the law is aimed at restoring transparency after months of viral videos showing masked teams detaining residents during Los Angeles operations — images that Newsom likened to “a dystopian sci-fi movie.”
What the new law does (highlights from the bill text)
Baseline rule: On-duty officers may not wear opaque face coverings that conceal identity.
Agency policies: Every agency operating in California — local, out-of-state, or federal — must publicly post a facial-covering policy by July 1, 2026, restricting use to narrowly defined circumstances.
Exemptions: Undercover operations; required safety/medical gear (e.g., N95s, respirators); SWAT while performing SWAT duties; limited prosecution-related identity protections; reasonable accommodations.
Penalties & liability: Willful violations are chargeable; individuals who commit assaults, false arrest/imprisonment or similar torts while unlawfully masked face no immunity and at least $10,000 in statutory damages.
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It's about time they did this.