California Enacts Tough New Ban on ICE Masks as Legislative Session Wraps Up

Following a summer featuring masked federal agents apprehending immigrants in Los Angeles, the California Legislature approved two significant measures on Thursday aimed at requiring law enforcement officers to disclose their identities. Senate Bills 627 and 805 emerged as some of the most contentious legislation in the final moments of this year’s session. These bills would prohibit local, out-of-state, and federal officers from donning face coverings and mandate that officers remain readily identifiable.State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco and the primary sponsor of SB 627, stated, “As we navigate this disturbing era of mass deportation and a Supreme Court enabling an authoritarian regime—contributing to the racial profiling of Latino individuals—California must take the initiative to abolish secret police.”The bills passed along partisan lines, encountering opposition from Republicans and police unions, who argued against the mask prohibition.Despite this being the intended final day of the session, lawmakers may continue working through Saturday to finalize some last-minute agreements. Proposals that secure passage will be forwarded to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval or veto, while those that don’t will be discarded for the year.