The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit challenging two California laws that prohibit immigration enforcement officers from concealing their identities with face masks while conducting operations within the state.
The legal action, filed Monday, argues that California has overstepped its constitutional authority by attempting to regulate the conduct and safety protocols of federal agents. At the heart of the dispute lies a fundamental question about the balance of power between state and federal governments.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the No Secret Police Act and the No Vigilantes Act into law this past September. The legislation bars most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks while on duty. Additionally, non-uniformed officers must visibly display identification during their operations. Limited exceptions exist for undercover agents, medical protective equipment such as N95 respirators, and tactical gear used in specific operations.
Governor Newsom defended the legislation by stating that federal immigration officers would no longer be “hidden from accountability” while performing their duties in California. He characterized the measures as a necessary response to what he views as federal overreach.
The legislation followed a series of immigration enforcement operations conducted in Southern California beginning in June. These raids, which targeted migrant workers at various local businesses, sparked significant protests and led to the federal deployment of National Guard and Marine personnel. During several of these operations, federal agents wore masks that concealed their identities, prompting concerns from state officials and civil liberties advocates.
The administration’s lawsuit invokes the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, which establishes that federal law supersedes state law when the two conflict. The legal filing requests that the court issue a preliminary injunction preventing California from enforcing these restrictions on federal agents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated Monday that the California laws “discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents.” The lawsuit further argues that the state legislation violates Article 5, Section 301 of the United States Code, which grants federal agency heads the authority to establish regulations governing their departments and the conduct of their employees.
The Department of Homeland Security has made clear its position on compliance. Following the signing of the California measures, administration officials instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to disregard the state laws. On September 22, the department issued a statement declaring it would “not comply with Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional mask ban,” citing a documented increase in threats directed at ICE officers and their families.
The administration contends that the California legislation recklessly endangers federal agents by preventing them from taking necessary precautions to protect their identities and personal safety. This concern has grown more acute as threats against immigration enforcement personnel have increased in recent months.
This legal confrontation represents the latest chapter in an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and California over immigration enforcement policies. The outcome of this lawsuit may have significant implications for the scope of state authority to regulate federal law enforcement operations within their borders.
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