Federal Judge Blocks California Law Banning Masks for ICE Agents, Citing Discrimination Against U.S. Government
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Monday blocked a controversial California law that sought to prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing face masks while conducting enforcement operations. U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder issued a preliminary injunction against the measure, ruling that the law unconstitutionally discriminated against the federal government.
The blocked provision was part of Senate Bill 627, known as the “No Secret Police Act,” signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2025. The legislation was enacted as a direct response to aggressive immigration raids launched by the Trump administration, with state officials arguing that masked agents resembled a “secret police” force that eroded public trust.
In her ruling, Judge Snyder, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, focused on the legal doctrine of intergovernmental immunity, which prevents states from regulating the federal government in a discriminatory manner. She noted that while the law barred federal agents—such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—from concealing their identities, it did not apply comparable restrictions to California’s own state law enforcement officers, such as the California Highway Patrol.
“The intergovernmental immunity doctrine prohibits imposing such a regulatory burden, albeit minimal and incidental to operations, in a discriminatory manner against the federal government,” Snyder wrote in her decision.
The Department of Justice had challenged the law, arguing that it violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Federal attorneys contended that unmasking agents would expose them to harassment, “doxing,” and threats from activists. While Judge Snyder expressed skepticism during earlier hearings about whether mask-wearing was strictly necessary for federal operations, her ruling ultimately hinged on the law’s unequal application rather than the operational necessity of the masks.
Notably, Judge Snyder did not block a separate component of the state’s new legislative package. She declined the Trump administration’s request to enjoin the “No Vigilantes Act” (SB 805), which requires federal agents to display clear identification, including their agency name and a badge number or name, on their uniforms.
The ruling leaves the door open for California lawmakers to attempt a revised version of the ban. Judge Snyder indicated during proceedings that if the state were to pass a “generally applicable” law prohibiting face coverings for all law enforcement officers—state, local, and federal alike—the federal government’s argument regarding discrimination might no longer hold.
The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles between California and the federal government over immigration enforcement. While federal agents may continue to wear masks for the time being, the requirement to display visible identification stands, representing a partial victory for state officials seeking greater transparency.
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