"Los Angeles County supervisors advanced an ordinance Tuesday that would prohibit law enforcement officers - including immigration enforcement agents - from wearing masks while working in unincorporated parts of the county. The ordinance would also require all law enforcement officers to wear identification and make clear their agency affiliation. The ban is a response to concerns from residents over unidentifiable agents conducting immigration enforcement operations across the region."
"Legal experts say federal immigration agents would not be required to follow a county mask ban. The county's top lawyer, Dawyn Harrison, has said she suspects the federal government will likely argue that the county law violates the Constitution, which states that federal law takes precedence over conflicting local statutes. "If this leads to a fight with the federal government in the courts, I think it's a fight worth having," said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who spearheaded the ban."
Los Angeles County supervisors advanced an ordinance prohibiting law enforcement officers, including immigration agents, from wearing masks while working in unincorporated county areas. The ordinance also requires all officers to display identification and clearly state agency affiliation. The measure responds to resident concerns about unidentifiable agents conducting immigration operations from unmarked vehicles and public locations. County legal staff anticipate a likely federal challenge asserting that federal law and the Constitution preempt conflicting local statutes. Supervisor Janice Hahn supported pursuing the ordinance despite anticipated litigation. Department of Homeland Security officials argue disguised agents may be necessary to avoid having names publicized or doxxed.
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