Federal Judge Blocks California's Ban on Masked ICE Agents

State Senator plans to revise law to restrict all law enforcement from wearing masks

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A federal judge has blocked California from enforcing its law banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from wearing facial coverings during enforcement actions and protests. The ruling came after the state's Attorney General sued to block the mask ban. In response, the author of the original legislation plans to revise the law to restrict all law enforcement personnel from wearing masks, arguing this would bring the law into compliance.

Why it matters

The mask ban was intended to increase accountability for ICE agents by requiring them to be identifiable during enforcement actions. However, the federal judge ruled the law was discriminatory against federal officers. The planned revisions to the law aim to apply the restrictions more broadly to all law enforcement, not just ICE.

The details

In September 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning ICE officers from wearing facial coverings during enforcement actions and protests in Los Angeles. In response, the state's Attorney General Pam Bondi sued to block the mask ban, arguing it was discriminatory against federal agents. On Monday, a federal judge ruled in favor of the Justice Department, blocking California from enforcing the ICE mask ban. Following the court decision, the author of the original legislation, State Senator Scott Wiener, announced plans to revise the law to restrict all law enforcement personnel, not just ICE, from wearing masks. Wiener argues this would make the law nondiscriminatory.

  • On September 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning ICE officers from wearing facial coverings.
  • On Monday, a federal judge blocked California from enforcing the ICE mask ban.
  • Also on Monday, State Senator Scott Wiener announced plans to revise the law to restrict all law enforcement from wearing masks.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who signed the bill banning ICE officers from wearing facial coverings.

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General of California who sued to block the state's ICE mask ban.

Scott Wiener

The California State Senator who authored the original legislation banning ICE officers from wearing masks, and now plans to revise the law to restrict all law enforcement from wearing masks.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency whose agents were targeted by California's mask ban.

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What they’re saying

“Another key court victory thanks to our outstanding Justice Department attorneys. Following our arguments, a district court in California blocked the enforcement of a law that would have banned federal agents from wearing masks to protect their identities.”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General of California (X)

“Unmasking ICE and CBP agents is a critical step to holding them accountable for the terror they are inflicting on communities. Without identification, there is no accountability. We need to end the air of impunity driving ICE's assault and hold agents accountable for violence.”

— Scott Wiener, California State Senator (X)

What’s next

The judge's ruling blocking the enforcement of California's ICE mask ban sets the stage for the state to revise the law to apply restrictions more broadly to all law enforcement, not just federal agents. State Senator Wiener has announced plans to make this change, arguing it will bring the law into compliance with the court's decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with California seeking to increase accountability for ICE agents while the federal government argues such measures are discriminatory. The planned revisions to the mask law represent an attempt to find a middle ground that satisfies both the court's ruling and the state's original policy goals.