Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a first-of-its-kind bill that prohibits law enforcement officers — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — from wearing masks or disguises while interacting with the public. The legislation, Senate Bill 627, was introduced by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and State Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley).

“The No Secret Police Act”

Dubbed The No Secret Police Act, SB 627 makes it a misdemeanor for any law enforcement officer to cover their face or wear a disguise while performing their duties. The law applies broadly to officers of local, state, and federal agencies, as well as individuals acting on behalf of such agencies.

“Governor Newsom just signed into law my bill to ban ICE & other law enforcement from wearing ski masks & other extreme masks,” Wiener said in a statement on Reddit. “The No Secret Police Act (SB 627) will help stop the masked secret police who are kidnapping people in our communities. Show your damn faces.”

Newsom criticises masked operations

At a press conference in Los Angeles on Saturday, Governor Newsom framed the legislation as a defence of democracy and immigrant rights. “Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing. No due process. No rights,” he said. “In a democracy we have rights. Immigrants have rights and we have the right to stand up and push back, and that’s what we’re doing here today.”

Newsom further addressed federal agencies directly: “I’ll be signing a bill — first in the nation — saying enough. To ICE — unmask. What are you afraid of?”

The law is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026.

Questions of authority

While celebrated by immigrant rights groups, the law faces uncertainty over whether California has the authority to regulate the conduct of federal agents like ICE officers. Legal experts note that challenges could arise if federal enforcement is deemed exempt from state laws.

Federal officials have already raised concerns. Some called for an investigation into the governor’s press office after it tweeted that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was “going to have a bad day today” in connection with the bill’s passage, which federal agencies said could be construed as a threat.

Broader pushback against federal policies

SB 627 was one of five immigration-related bills signed by Newsom on Saturday, all aimed at countering policies associated with President Donald Trump’s administration. California lawmakers emphasised that the state would continue to resist federal enforcement measures they viewed as undermining civil rights.

Conclusion

The signing of SB 627 has placed California at the centre of a fresh legal and political battle over state versus federal authority on immigration enforcement. As the law heads toward its January 2026 implementation, its impact — and the challenges it may face in court — remain to be seen.