California has passed a controversial new law banning local and federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks during operations, sparking mixed opinions on whether federal officials must comply with this ordinance.

This law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and follows reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducting operations in California while wearing masks that prevented identification.

The law also includes exceptions for agents working undercover, tactical gear, and masks that are used to prevent the effects of natural disasters such as fires and diseases, per the BBC.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the measure last week, stating that the change was necessary to protect communities and hold federal officers accountable.

“The impact of these policies all across this city, our state and nation are terrifying,” he said, according to the Associated Press. 

“It’s like a dystopian sci-fi movie. Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing. No due process, no rights, no right in a democracy where 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.”

California Sen. Scott Wiener echoed these statements by Newsom, writing that  “No one wants masked officers roaming their communities and kidnapping people” and saying the state will “continue to stand for the rule of law and for basic freedoms.”

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The dispute has quickly become a political flashpoint as multiple Republicans in California have voiced disagreement with the measure, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running for governor in 2026, saying that the state is protecting those who assault law enforcement officers.

“They didn’t ban criminals from wearing masks, they didn’t tell criminals that they had to identify themselves, he said, per NPR. 

“Every single person that voted for that needs to be eliminated in the next election. Anyone that votes for those people are absolute idiots.”

Similarly, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin said the measure is “despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger” officers, claiming that Newsom is attempting to help those who are committing illegal acts.

“While our federal law enforcement officers are being assaulted by rioters and having rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at them, a sanctuary politician is trying to outlaw officers wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers,” she stated, per PBS.

Currently, no lawsuits have been filed to challenge the future law, but Homeland Security has already stated that it will not comply with the California directive.

“To be clear: We will NOT comply with Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional mask ban,” wrote the department in a social media post.

“At a time that ICE law enforcement faces a 1,000% increase in assaults and their family members are being doxxed and targeted, the sitting Governor of California signed unconstitutional legislation that strips law enforcement of protections in a disgusting, diabolical fundraising and PR stunt.”