Judge Rejects California's ICE Mask Ban, OKs ID Law

Federal law enforcement agents can wear masks but must display clear identification, ruling says

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A federal judge in Los Angeles struck down a California law that prohibited federal law enforcement agents from wearing masks but upheld a companion law that requires federal agents to display clear identification with their agency and badge number. The ruling came amid ongoing tensions over ICE operations in the state.

Why it matters

The issue of federal agents wearing masks during enforcement actions has become a flashpoint, with concerns raised about transparency and accountability. The ruling represents a partial victory for both California and the Trump administration as they navigate the balance between federal authority and state oversight.

The details

U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder rejected the Trump administration's claim that California had no authority to set rules for federal agents, saying federal officers can perform their functions without wearing masks. However, she ruled that the state law improperly treated federal law enforcement officers differently than state officers, leading to the partial victory for both sides.

  • The California law was passed last year amid ICE raids and was set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
  • Judge Snyder's ruling on the identification requirement is set to take effect on February 19, 2026.

The players

U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder

The federal judge who issued the ruling on California's ICE mask ban and ID law.

California

The state that passed the laws prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks and requiring clear identification, which were partially struck down by the judge.

Trump administration

The federal government that challenged California's laws, claiming the state had no authority to set rules for federal agents.

Scott Wiener

A California state senator who said he would draft a new version of the mask ban to include state officers.

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What’s next

State Sen. Scott Wiener (D) said he would draft a new version of the mask ban to include state officers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal authority and state oversight, as well as concerns about transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement actions. The partial ruling represents a compromise, leaving room for further negotiations and potential legal challenges.