BURSTCalifornia lawmakers have sent legislation to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that could prohibit federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from wearing masks while carrying out raids in the state.
Newsom hasn't said whether he will sign the bill, which received final approval in the Legislature on Thursday.
The governor's office didn't immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment Friday, but he said in July that his office was reviewing the constitutionality of the proposal.
Critics have taken issue with ICE agents wearing face coverings while carrying out President Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown in cities across the country. They argue that the covering is meant as an intimidation tactic.
California — Los Angeles in particular — became a major focus of ICE operations over the summer as mass protests erupted in response to workplace raids. The president deployed National Guard troops and Marines to protect federal properties, which sparked an ongoing court battle.
ICE didn't immediately respond to The Hill's request on the California legislation, but officials in the Trump administration have repeatedly defended the need for officers to protect their identities.
"I don’t particularly like masks, but the ICE officers need the mask because their families are being doxed," Trump’s border czar Tom Homan told reporters at the White House late last month. "Their families are being doxed, their children are being doxed, their families have been put in harm’s way."
The legislation specifically targets face coverings meant to conceal officers' identities. It does not apply to surgical masks, clear coverings or safety equipment, such as motorcycle helmets and breathing apparatuses.
If it becomes law, any law enforcement agency operating in California — not just ICE — would have to implement a mask policy that meets the new law's restrictions by July 2026.