Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill, that prohibits local and federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from using face masks while on duty. The law makes exceptions for undercover agents, tactical gear and masks worn to protect against disease or wildfires.

The bills will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Numerous ICE sightings have occurred in San Luis Obispo County. On Oct. 21, ICE officials arrested three individuals from the San Luis Obispo County Jail, as reported by the Tribune. The 805 Immigrant coalition advised residents to avoid the San Luis Obispo City Courthouse in September due to reported ICE presence and warnings of “expeditions.”

READ MORE: ICE activity reported in downtown San Luis Obispo

Since the beginning of the year, ICE has taken 55 individuals in SLO County, 33 of which were taken in the city of SLO, according to data from the 805 UndocuFund. Eight individuals have been taken inside SLO County in November and 19 were taken in October, the data said.

“I wish I could say these bills will change things but we are seeing that these ICE agents truly do not care about the laws in America and they certainly do not care about the laws in California,” said Cesar Vasquez, the rapid response organizer at the 805 UndocuFund for SLO County and north Santa Barbara County.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against California, Newsom, and state Attorney General Robert Bonta challenging their ban on federal law enforcement wearing face covering during operations Monday, Nov. 17. The case is ongoing.

The Department of Justice argues the laws are illegal attempts to discriminate against and regulate the federal government. This is the latest lawsuit in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting federal law enforcement regulations across the country, according to the Office of Public Affairs. 

Senator Scott Wiener and Democratic Senators Jesse Arreguín, Sasha Pérez and Aisha Wahab pushed for the “No Secret Police” legislation following the release of videos showing masked and unidentifiable officers conducting operations in Los Angeles.

“No one wants masked officers roaming their communities and kidnapping people with impunity,” Wiener said in a press release. “California will continue to stand for the rule of law and for basic freedoms.”

In June, a series of federal immigration sweeps in Los Angeles sparked violent demonstrations against the Trump administration and ICE. In response, Trump sent out 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines, as previously reported by ABC.

The law follows the Supreme Court’s decision that Los Angeles immigration enforcement stops could continue without needing a reasonable suspicion that an individual may be in the U.S. illegally. That ruling allows officers to question and detain anyone based only on their race, language or occupation.

The new legislation is reminiscent of the measures California implemented during President Donald Trump’s first administration, including the passage of a sanctuary law that prohibited local law enforcement from collaborating with immigration officers.

The bill is one of several that aim to protect residents from what Newsom has referred to as “secret police” roaming the streets, as previously reported by the BBC. Alongside the bill prohibiting face masks, Newsom signed a number of other immigration bills:

  • Assembly Bill 49 prohibits schools from allowing immigration enforcement agents on campus without a warrant.
  • Senate Bill 805 requires law enforcement officers to identify themselves while performing their duties, with certain exceptions.
  • Senate Bill 81 prohibits immigration officials from visiting restricted areas of a health facility without a court order or judicial warrant.
  • Senate Bill 98 requires that schools and other higher education institutions send community notifications when immigration enforcement is on campus and prohibits immigration enforcement from entering certain areas without a court order or judicial warrant.

“Immigrants have rights and we have the right to stand up and push back,” Newsom stated during a Los Angeles event where he signed the bill.

​Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, has referred to the legislation as “despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers” in an interview with NBC News.