Federal Judge Blocks California Mask Ban for Immigration Agents

Ruling cites discrimination against federal law enforcement officers compared to state and local police.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A federal judge in California has issued a preliminary injunction blocking a state law that prohibited federal immigration agents from wearing masks while on duty. The judge ruled that the law discriminated against the federal government by not applying the mask ban equally to state and local law enforcement officers.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal authority, particularly around immigration enforcement. While the Trump administration argued masks were necessary to protect agents, critics said face coverings hindered public trust and accountability. The ruling allows federal agents to continue wearing masks for now, but leaves the door open for future legislation that could reinstate a ban if applied equally to all law enforcement.

The details

The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September, aimed to ban most law enforcement officers from covering their faces to promote transparency during enforcement activities. However, the Trump administration challenged the legislation, arguing it jeopardized the safety of federal agents facing increasing harassment, doxing, and violence. The Department of Justice contended the ban would 'chill federal law enforcement and deter applicants.' Judge Christina Snyder agreed the law discriminated against the federal government, writing that 'federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks' and that masked officers 'is more likely to heighten the sense of insecurity for all."

  • The law was signed by Governor Newsom in September 2025.
  • The Trump administration challenged the law in November 2025.
  • The federal judge issued the preliminary injunction on February 10, 2026.

The players

Judge Christina Snyder

A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California who issued the preliminary injunction blocking the California mask ban for federal immigration agents.

Governor Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who signed the law in September 2025 that prohibited federal immigration agents from wearing masks while on duty.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who hailed the judge's ruling as a 'key court victory' for federal agents who are 'attacked on a regular basis just for doing their jobs.'

Department of Justice

The federal agency that challenged the California law, arguing it would 'chill federal law enforcement and deter applicants' by denying agents the choice to wear face coverings for safety.

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What they’re saying

“The presence of masked and unidentifiable individuals, including law enforcement, is more likely to heighten the sense of insecurity for all.”

— Judge Christina Snyder

“Federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks.”

— Judge Christina Snyder

“The Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks.”

— Judge Christina Snyder

What’s next

The judge's ruling blocks the current California law, but indicates that future legislation addressing the disparity between federal and state/local law enforcement could potentially be enacted.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority, particularly around immigration enforcement. While the Trump administration argued masks were necessary to protect agents, critics said face coverings hindered public trust and accountability. The ruling allows federal agents to continue wearing masks for now, but leaves the door open for future legislation that could reinstate a ban if applied equally to all law enforcement.