The new law, aimed at federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, takes effect January 1, 2026, and is already facing pushback from federal officials.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills, with a key piece of legislation, the “No Secret Police Act” (SB 627), prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing masks or other facial coverings while on duty. The new law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2026, also requires officers to be identifiable by name and badge number.
The bills were signed at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, where Newsom was joined by state lawmakers and local officials. According to Newsom’s office, the legislation aims to protect residents from what he referred to as “secret police” conducting immigration enforcement operations. “You’re gonna do enforcement? Provide an ID,” Newsom said at the signing.
The legislation has drawn criticism from federal authorities. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated on X that the law has “no effect on our operations” as the state has “no jurisdiction over the federal government.” He added, “Our agents will continue to protect their identities.”
The Department of Homeland Security also released a statement, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin calling the new legislation “despicable” and a “flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.”
Authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, the “No Secret Police Act” makes it a crime for on-duty officers to wear a facial covering, with exceptions for situations like medical necessity or SWAT team operations.
Other bills signed by the governor include measures to protect children from immigration enforcement at schools and to restrict law enforcement access to nonpublic areas of hospitals without a judicial warrant.
The signing of these bills follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows immigration enforcement stops in Los Angeles without officers needing reasonable suspicion that a person may not be in the U.S. legally.
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