Federal Judge Halts California's Mask Ban for Federal Agents, Allows Clear ID Requirement to Stand.
A federal judge has put on hold a law in California that would have banned federal immigration agents from wearing masks, but the rule requiring them to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number remains in place. The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration challenged the state's facial covering ban, arguing it would compromise the safety of officers who face harassment, doxing, and violence.
The California law, which was signed into effect in September, prohibited most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings, with exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment, and other situations where not wearing a mask could jeopardize an operation. The federal government argued that the exemption for undercover agents was discriminatory against federal agents, who are already subject to strict protocols and training.
Judge Christina Snyder sided with the Trump administration, ruling that federal officers can perform their duties without wearing masks. She also rejected claims by state officials that banning facial coverings would impede the ability of federal law enforcement to carry out their responsibilities.
However, it appears the judge has allowed a separate requirement – requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification while on duty – to stand. This provision was not directly challenged in the lawsuit and is now set to go into effect on February 19.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the mask ban bill, which also included exceptions for state police, into law following high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles. State Senator Scott Weiner has vowed to introduce new legislation that includes state police, stating that federal agents are using facial coverings "to maximize their terror campaign" and to "insulate themselves from accountability."
The ruling has implications for how other states deal with federal agents enforcing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
A federal judge has put on hold a law in California that would have banned federal immigration agents from wearing masks, but the rule requiring them to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number remains in place. The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration challenged the state's facial covering ban, arguing it would compromise the safety of officers who face harassment, doxing, and violence.
The California law, which was signed into effect in September, prohibited most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings, with exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment, and other situations where not wearing a mask could jeopardize an operation. The federal government argued that the exemption for undercover agents was discriminatory against federal agents, who are already subject to strict protocols and training.
Judge Christina Snyder sided with the Trump administration, ruling that federal officers can perform their duties without wearing masks. She also rejected claims by state officials that banning facial coverings would impede the ability of federal law enforcement to carry out their responsibilities.
However, it appears the judge has allowed a separate requirement – requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification while on duty – to stand. This provision was not directly challenged in the lawsuit and is now set to go into effect on February 19.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the mask ban bill, which also included exceptions for state police, into law following high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles. State Senator Scott Weiner has vowed to introduce new legislation that includes state police, stating that federal agents are using facial coverings "to maximize their terror campaign" and to "insulate themselves from accountability."
The ruling has implications for how other states deal with federal agents enforcing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
so a judge is basically saying that fed agents can just walk around w/o masks but still gotta wear ID on 'em? like, what's up with that? seems kinda sketchy to me... 
i mean, if you're already a public figure, shouldn't you be able to identify yourself without some kind of extra layer of gear? also, what's the deal w/ the state senator saying fed agents are using masks as some kind of "terror campaign"? seems pretty loaded language to me... 
anyways, this ruling is definitely gonna spark some debate and i'm here for it! 
omg can you believe this 
so cal is like totally barking up the wrong tree trying to restrict our feds from wearing masks 
it's not about "safety" or whatever 
the real issue here is accountability 
and btw what's with all these "undercover agents" 
being made exceptions just because it's convenient for them? 
clear ID requirement though, that's a whole different story 
. I'm not sure what implications this will have for other states dealing with federal agents enforcing immigration laws, but it'll be interesting to see how that plays out 
. The fact that federal agents are already subject to strict protocols and training suggests that their safety is not a concern, but rather a pretext for maintaining control over marginalized communities 
.
. Overall, this decision reinforces the perception that law enforcement agencies prioritize their own interests over the public's well-being 
.
. It's not like this decision will embolden federal agents or anything, oh wait it totally does 
. And now state Senator Scott Weiner wants to introduce new legislation that includes state police? Because clearly, we all need more drama in our lives... again 
. I mean, can't we just have a peaceful day without some politician stirring up controversy? 
. It's a huge step forward in supporting them, and we should be cheering! 
don't you think a clear ID requirement is enough? 
Like, who's gonna bother 'em with their badge number if they're wearing a mask anyway? 