California's governor has signed a bill to ban local and federal law enforcement officers, including with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from wearing face masks while on duty.
The ban, which comes into effect on 1 January 2026, is part of a series of bills that aims to protect residents from what Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has called 'secret police' roaming the streets.
US Attorney Bill Essayli, a Trump appointee, said California 'has no jurisdiction over the federal government', adding the law has 'no effect on our operations' and agents 'will continue to protect their identities'.
The ban is a response to federal agents wearing masks during Los Angeles immigration raids.
The law makes exceptions for undercover agents, masks used to protect against disease or wildfires, and tactical gear.
President Donald Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement as a priority in his second term.
In June, a series of federal immigration raids in LA sparked violent protests against the Trump administration and ICE.
Trump deployed 700 US Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to the country's second-largest city in reaction to the unrest.
California State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents San Francisco, wrote the bill in response.
'No one wants masked officers roaming their communities and kidnapping people with impunity,' he said. 'California will continue to stand for the rule of law and for basic freedoms.'
The legislation follows the Supreme Court's ruling that immigration enforcement stops in LA could continue without officers requiring reasonable suspicion regarding a person's legal status.
As well as the ban on face coverings, a new bill also requires law enforcement officials to identify themselves by both name and badge number.
Other bills signed by Newsom on Saturday prohibit school officials and employees from allowing federal agents conducting immigration enforcement to enter school sites without a warrant, court order, or judicial subpoena.
Families will also need to be informed of officer arrivals at their children’s schools. Student information and classrooms will also be protected under these new laws.
Non-public areas of hospitals and emergency rooms are off-limits to officers lacking judicial warrants or court orders as well.
'Immigrants have rights and we have the right to stand up and push back,' Newsom said.
In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called California's new legislation 'despicable' and a 'flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.'
'Make no mistake, this type of rhetoric contributes to increased assaults on officers through their repeated vilification and demonization.'
This is not the first time local officials have challenged the White House; in August, the mayor of Chicago signed an order detailing how the city will resist a potential immigration crackdown threatened by the Trump administration.
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