Win for Trump: Judge blocks California mask ban on federal immigration agents

WASHINGTON (TNND) — A federal judge sided with the Trump administration in blocking a California law that would have prohibited federal immigration agents from wearing face coverings while carrying out enforcement operations.

The ruling preserves protections the administration said are necessary to safeguard officers amid a surge in harassment and threats.

Federal agents will still be required to display clear identification, including their agency and badge number.

FILE – Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities a day earlier, in Paramount, Calif., June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)

The lawsuit, which was filed by the Trump administration in November, argued that California overstepped its authority by attempting to regulate federal officers and put their safety at risk. Administration officials pointed to increased incidents of doxing, threats and violence against immigration agents enforcing President Trump’s immigration agenda.

U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder on Monday ruled that California’s law unfairly targeted federal officers because it did not apply equally to state and local law enforcement. In doing so, she affirmed the federal government’s argument that states cannot single out federal agencies with restrictive regulations.

The decision could have broader implications nationwide as some states seek to push back against the administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement efforts.

The original legislation, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, would have barred many law enforcement officers from wearing masks or facial coverings. It came after a series of high-profile Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles during the summer.

The law included exemptions for state law enforcement, undercover officers and certain tactical or protective gear. The Trump administration argued that the exemptions discriminated against federal agents and violated the Constitution by directly regulating federal operations.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 21: Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on July 21, 2025 in New York City. Lawmakers in New York are introducing a bill that would ban law enforcement officers, including federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, from wearing masks. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Tony Simone, would be called the Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Snyder’s ruling blocks the mask ban from taking effect on February 19, but leaves open the possibility that California could attempt to pass a revised version applying to all law enforcement agencies.

The court upheld a separate requirement that officers display clear identification while on duty, which Newsom described as a victory.

Supporters of the administration say the decision reinforces the principle that federal immigration enforcement cannot be dictated by individual states.

During court arguments, Justice Department attorney Tiberius Davis cited Department of Homeland Security data showing a sharp increase in threats and assaults against federal agents. He also referenced incidents in which ICE officers were followed home and had their addresses posted online.

“There is real deterrence on the officer’s safety and ability to perform their duties,” Davis told the court.

California officials countered that there was insufficient evidence that masks are necessary for federal agents to carry out their responsibilities.

The case comes as the Trump administration continues its broader immigration enforcement push, arguing that strong federal authority and officer protections are essential to carrying out the president’s deportation and border security policies.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.