The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Monday, September 22, that it will not comply with the recently signed California law that prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks to conceal their identity during immigration operations.
In a message on the X account, the DHS assured that the state ban, signed last Saturday by California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is “unconstitutional”.
DHS challenges California vs.
“At a time when ICE law enforcement is facing a 1,000 percent increase in assaults and their family members are being targeted for publicity and attacks, California’s governor signed unconstitutional legislation stripping law enforcement of their protections,” DHS argued.
The Department called the passage of the state law a “stunt” for fundraising and public relations.
The ban is part of a legislative package that includes the so-called‘Anti-Secret Police Act‘ and other measures limiting immigration agents’ access to schools and hospitals.
In a statement, Newsom noted that this is the first U.S. law that vetoes masked ICE agents, which he called “secret police.”
The governor, who has been one of the Democratic faces putting a face on U.S. President Donald Trump and his campaign of mass deportations, claims that people “should know they are interacting with legitimate agents.”
Another law, which went into effect immediately, states that immigration and law enforcement officers must display their name or badge number in the state of California, and may not wear a mask “except if absolutely necessary.”
The measures also mean that ICE agents will need a warrant to access school classrooms, where families will be notified if there is a raid, and hospital emergency rooms, and also protect student and patient information.
California has been the target of Trump’s immigration raids, especially Los Angeles, which has seen multiple raids since last June.
With information from EFE
