LA Agencies Won't Enforce Mask Ban on Federal Immigration Agents

The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have announced they will not enforce a new California state law that prohibits federal immigration agents from wearing masks during operations, citing risks of escalation between armed agencies. The decision, voiced by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell last week, comes as the law took effect on January 1, 2026, amid ongoing immigration enforcement activities in Southern California communities.

Senate Bill 627, known as the No Secret Police Act, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2025. It bans law enforcement officers, including federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, from wearing face coverings while performing official duties, except in cases involving undercover work or tactical operations requiring protective gear. The legislation imposes civil penalties starting at $10,000 for violations and requires agencies operating in California to post public mask policies by July 1. It emerged in response to immigration raids that began in Southern California last summer, during which federal agents were observed wearing masks, prompting concerns about accountability...