The law prohibits neck gaiters, ski masks and other facial coverings for local and federal officers, including immigration enforcement agents, while they conduct official business. Newsom also signed legislation requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on the job. The laws require federal law enforcement agencies to issue a mask policy by July 1, 2026, and a visible identification policy by Jan. 1, 2026. Newsom has called the practice of masked federal agents arresting people across the state “dystopian.”Critics have raised concerns about the increased role of federal agents in local policing and often unidentified agents conducting immigration enforcement activities. It said the law banning federal officers from wearing masks discriminates against the federal government because it exempts state police.

Source: Huffington Post November 18, 2025 03:33 UTC