NY Gov. Hochul Proposes Mask Ban for Law Enforcement, Including ICE Agents

Governor's expanded immigration bill would limit local cooperation with federal authorities

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting the blurred figure of an ICE agent in motion, their face obscured, conveying a sense of unease and lack of transparency around immigration enforcement.A fractured, abstract painting captures the tension and uncertainty surrounding the use of masks by federal immigration agents.NYC Today

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a proposal to prohibit all state, local, and federal law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public. The ban is clearly aimed at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, many of whom have been photographed wearing masks or scarves during immigration enforcement actions. Hochul said ICE agents should not be able to 'hide behind a mask while violating innocent Americans'.

Why it matters

The governor's proposal is part of a broader effort to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities in New York. The move comes amid ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement and concerns about transparency and accountability for federal agents' actions.

The details

Hochul's new proposal would make it a misdemeanor for law enforcement to wear face coverings while on duty, with exceptions for tactical equipment, sunglasses, and medical masks. The governor is also negotiating a bill that would ban local police from formally cooperating with ICE, restrict information-sharing, and prevent local jails from being used for civil immigration enforcement. Some advocates have raised concerns that the 'probable cause' exception in Hochul's proposal is too broad.

  • On April 16, 2026, Gov. Hochul announced the proposal to ban law enforcement face coverings.
  • In January 2026, Hochul had previously proposed a bill to limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The players

Gov. Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York who is proposing the mask ban and broader immigration enforcement limits.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that Hochul's proposals are aimed at, as some ICE agents have been photographed wearing masks or scarves during enforcement actions.

Yasmine Farhang

The executive director of the New York-based Immigrant Defense Project, who expressed concerns about the 'probable cause' exception in Hochul's proposal.

Carl Heastie

The Democratic speaker of the New York State Assembly, who also raised concerns about the 'probable cause' standard being too broad.

Bruce Blakeman

The Republican Nassau County Executive, who defended his county's cooperation agreement with ICE that has led to the removal of about 2,000 people with convictions or pending charges.

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What they’re saying

“They had not done it before. Other federal agencies like FBI and DEA, they don't do it. Local law enforcement doesn't do it. So why should ICE have the ability to do something that we otherwise don't allow for other individuals in law enforcement?”

— Gov. Kathy Hochul

“Probable cause is little more than an arbitrary whim at the initial point someone is arrested.”

— Yasmine Farhang, Executive Director, Immigrant Defense Project

“The problem is probable cause is being determined by police officers, who can then decide to reach out to ICE. I think that's the area of concern. …That's such an open and general term.”

— Carl Heastie, Speaker, New York State Assembly

“Where would [Hochul] like me to put those 2,000 people? What community in New York state would she like me to put back those 2,000 people? I'm glad I got them out of our county, out of our region and out of our state.”

— Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive

What’s next

The state budget is due by April 1, and Hochul and lawmakers have been unable to reach consensus on a final spending plan. The Legislature has passed a short-term budget extender that will ensure state workers get paid, but it only lasts through Monday. The negotiations on Hochul's broader immigration enforcement bill are still ongoing.

The takeaway

Hochul's proposal to ban law enforcement face coverings, particularly for ICE agents, is part of a broader effort to limit cooperation between local and federal immigration authorities in New York. While some advocates see the 'probable cause' exception as too broad, the governor is pushing for more transparency and accountability around federal immigration enforcement actions in the state.