California has taken a groundbreaking step as the first state to prohibit most law enforcement personnel, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks during official duties, following the signing of a bill by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday. This move faced immediate criticism from Trump administration officials.

The legislation was a reaction to recent immigration raids in Los Angeles where masked federal agents conducted mass arrests. These actions sparked widespread protests and led to President Donald Trump sending National Guard troops and Marines to the region.

Governor Newsom, during a news conference in Los Angeles alongside state lawmakers, education authorities, and immigrant advocates, highlighted California’s unique demographic with 27% of its residents being foreign-born.

“We celebrate that diversity. It’s what makes California great. It’s what makes America great. It is under assault,” he said.

The governor emphasized the state’s opposition to practices where agents, lacking identification or visible badge numbers, detain individuals publicly.

“The consequences of these policies throughout our city, state, and nation are alarming,” Newsom stated. “It’s reminiscent of a dystopian sci-fi narrative—unmarked vehicles, masked figures, individuals disappearing without notice. There are no processes, no rights—immigrants possess rights, and so do we, to resist and challenge. That’s the message we are conveying today.”

But it’s unclear how — or whether — the state can enforce the ban on federal agents.

Officials from the Trump administration have justified the use of masks, arguing that immigration officers are increasingly subject to harassment both in person and online during enforcement activities tied to Trump’s agenda for mass deportation. They assert that concealing their identities is crucial for safeguarding the agents and their families.

Bill Essayli, acting U.S. attorney for Southern California, said on the social platform X that the state does not have jurisdiction over the federal government and he has told agencies the mask ban has no effect on their operations. “Our agents will continue to protect their identities,” he said.

Essayli also criticized Newsom’s comment on X saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was “going to have a bad day today,” adding that there is zero tolerance for “direct or implicit threats against government officials.” He referred the matter to the Secret Service, which said in a statement, also on X, that it could not comment on the specific case but must investigate any potential threat.

DHS official criticizes California law

Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, called it “despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.”

“While our federal law enforcement officers are being assaulted by rioters and having rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at them, a sanctuary politician is trying to outlaw officers wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers,” she said via email.

The men and women of federal immigration agencies put their lives on the line to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens, she said, and rhetoric like Newsom’s has contributed to a surge in assaults.

Newsom countered that concerns about doxing agents, or publishing their personal information online, are unfounded and unproven.

“There’s an assertion that somehow there is an exponential increase in assaults on officers, but they will not provide the data,” he said. “All they have provided is misinformation and misdirection.”

Ban applies to various face coverings, includes some exceptions

The new law prohibits neck gaiters, ski masks and other facial coverings for local and federal officers, including immigration enforcement agents, while they conduct official business. It makes exceptions for undercover agents, medical masks such as N95 respirators or tactical gear, and it does not apply to state police.

Democrats in Congress and lawmakers in several states, including Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, have introduced similar proposals calling for mask bans.

Proponents of the California law said it is especially needed after the Supreme Court ruled this month that the Trump administration can resume its sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles. The law aims to boost public trust in law enforcement and stop people from impersonating officers to commit crimes, supporters said.

Constitutional law expert Erwin Chemerinsky at the University of California, Berkeley, also defended the legislation. Federal employees still have to follow general state rules “unless doing so would significantly interfere with the performance of their duties. For example, while on the job, federal employees must stop at red lights,” he wrote in an opinion piece for the Sacramento Bee.

Another new law covers schools and health care facilities

Newsom also signed legislation Saturday preventing immigration agents from entering schools and health care facilities without a valid warrant or judicial order and requiring schools to notify parents and teachers when agents are on campus.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, said “students cannot learn if they live in fear of being deported. The California Safe Haven Schools Act is a clear message to Donald Trump: ‘keep ICE out of our schools.’”

Earlier this year the Legislature also authorized giving $50 million to California’s Department of Justice and other legal groups, which has resulted in more than 40 lawsuits against the Trump administration.