California Bars ICE Agents From Wearing Masks in the State

"Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Saturday that would prevent federal immigration agents from wearing masks in the state, a direct response to President Trump's deportation crackdown in the Los Angeles region. The new law is believed to be the first such ban in the nation, though it is likely to be challenged in court before it can go into effect in January because it is unclear whether California can enforce such restrictions on federal law enforcement."

"Homeland Security responded this afternoon that it will not comply with Gavin Newsom's mask ban, calling it "unconstitutional." "At a time that ICE law enforcement faces a 1,000% increase in assaults and their family members are being doxxed and targeted the sitting governor of California signed unconstitutional legislation that strips law enforcement of protections in a disgusting, diabolitical fundraising and PR stunt," was the statement posed on the Homeland Security website."

"Democratic leaders and immigration activists have suggested that agents have acted with impunity, knowing that their identities were cloaked and that it would be harder to hold them accountable. "The impact of these policies all across this city, our state and nation are terrifying. It's like a dystopian sci-fi movie - unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing," Newsom said at a signing event on Saturday afternoon at a Los Angeles high school. "This is a disgrace. This is an outrage, what we've allowed to happen in this country.""

California passed a law barring federal immigration agents from wearing masks in the state, with the ban also applying to local law enforcement and slated to take effect in January. The measure responds to videos and reports showing masked, armed immigration agents detaining immigrants in Southern California and to protests and criticism over agent anonymity. Federal Homeland Security announced it will not comply and called the law unconstitutional, arguing it removes protections for law enforcement. Democratic leaders and immigration activists said masked agents impede accountability and create fear. Legal challenges are expected over state authority to restrict federal officers.

Read at San Jose Inside