Denver Bans Federal Agents from Covering Faces During Arrests

City leaders pass ordinance requiring visible identification, drawing rebuke from Department of Homeland Security

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Denver City Council has unanimously passed an ordinance banning all federal law enforcement officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, from wearing face coverings while detaining or arresting people. The new law also requires officers to wear visible identification. This is the second recent measure taken by Denver against federal agents, following an executive order last week barring ICE from operating on city property without a judicial warrant.

Why it matters

The move by Denver is part of a broader debate over the role of federal law enforcement in local communities, with concerns raised about transparency, accountability, and the potential for abuse of power. The city's actions have drawn a strong rebuke from the Department of Homeland Security, which has vowed not to comply with the new ordinance.

The details

The ordinance prohibits all officers, including those from federal agencies like ICE, from wearing face coverings while detaining or arresting individuals. It also requires officers to wear visible identification. The city council believes the ordinance is constitutional, though the Denver Police Department is still working to determine how it will be implemented in practice.

  • On March 3, 2026, the Denver City Council unanimously passed the ordinance banning federal agents from wearing face coverings.
  • Last Thursday, Mayor Mike Johnston signed an executive order barring ICE from operating on city property without a judicial warrant.

The players

Denver City Council

The legislative body of the City and County of Denver that unanimously passed the ordinance banning federal agents from wearing face coverings.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has vowed not to comply with Denver's new ordinance, calling it "legally illiterate."

Mike Johnston

The Mayor of Denver who signed an executive order last week barring ICE from operating on city property without a judicial warrant.

Kevin Flynn

A Denver City Council member who represents District 2 and expressed concerns about seeing "masked agents on the street."

Darrell Watson

A Denver City Council member who represents District 9 and said the ordinance was a "slam dunk."

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What they’re saying

“To be crystal clear: we will not abide by a city council's unconstitutional ban. Our officers wear masks to protect themselves from being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers.”

— Department of Homeland Security (cbsnews.com)

“It's very disturbing to me, as an American, to see masked agents on the street. I don't know what the best way is to enforce our immigration laws, but I think I know the worst way when I see it.”

— Kevin Flynn, Denver City Council member, District 2 (cbsnews.com)

“I said all along, this was a slam dunk.”

— Darrell Watson, Denver City Council member, District 9 (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Denver Police Department is still working to determine how the new ordinance will be implemented in practice, with a focus on discretion and de-escalation when encountering these situations.

The takeaway

Denver's actions highlight the ongoing tensions between local governments and federal law enforcement agencies, particularly around issues of transparency, accountability, and the use of force. The city's ordinance and executive order aim to establish clearer guidelines and build trust with residents, though the legal battle with the Department of Homeland Security is likely to continue.