By Eniola Amadu
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, except in cases involving riot gear, medical reasons, or undercover assignments.
Newsom, a Democrat and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, described the law as the first of its kind in the United States.
He argued that masked detentions create “a climate of authoritarianism,” undermining transparency and accountability. “That’s Trump’s America,” he said at the signing ceremony in Los Angeles.
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The legislation, named the No Secret Police Act, was prompted by rising immigration enforcement across the state, particularly in Los Angeles, where residents have reported federal agents wearing masks and detaining people without showing badges or agency identification.
Trump’s deportation programme has sparked repeated protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the city.
The law takes effect next year. Its practical impact on federal officers remains uncertain, as states have limited powers to regulate federal agencies.
However, Raquel Aldana, a law professor at the University of California, Davis, said the measure represents California’s attempt to establish boundaries.
“At some point, the answer has to be ‘no,’” she said. “This is about state sovereignty, about how much the federal government can do within state jurisdiction.”
Lawmakers in New York and Massachusetts are reportedly considering similar moves. ICE declined to comment on the new law, though officials have previously said agents sometimes wear masks to protect their identities from online exposure that can lead to threats.
Newsom also signed related legislation requiring police officers to clearly display name tags or badge numbers while on duty, and mandating schools to notify parents and staff when immigration enforcement is present.
Additional laws will restrict ICE access to schools and healthcare facilities without valid warrants.
The new measures drew criticism from law enforcement groups. The California State Sheriff’s Association and the California Police Chiefs Association described the mask ban as reckless, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, said it endangered officers.
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“They didn’t ban criminals from wearing masks,” he said. “Every person who voted for this needs to be voted out.”
Giselle Garcia, of Sacramento-based NorCal Resist, said the policy offers a legal basis for challenging abuse. She noted that her group’s observers have been harassed by masked ICE agents who refused to identify themselves.
