The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday to ban federal immigration agents and other law-enforcement officers from concealing their identities while on duty in unincorporated areas.
The move follows similar efforts at the state and federal levels in response to officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies who regularly wear masks during enforcement operations.
The Trump administration will likely challenge the proposed law in federal court on the grounds that the county does not have the authority to restrict the activities of federal law enforcement agents. The federal government is already suing the state of California over a similar law enacted earlier this year.
“This is about defending the constitutional rights of the people we represent,” Supervisor Janice Hahn, who introduced the ordinance along with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, said in a statement Tuesday. “We cannot stand down now and allow this type of policing to be acceptable in America. So, if this means a fight in the courts with the federal government, I think it is a fight worth having.”
The proposed ordinance would apply to all law-enforcement agencies, including federal immigration agents.
Hahn said the county’s ordinance is a bit different than the state law because it incorporates exceptions for officers wearing medical masks, breathing apparatuses, motorcycle helmets when riding a motorcycle, SWAT teams and active undercover operations.
The law prohibits officers from wearing masks or disguises while interacting with the public and requires all law enforcement to wear visible identification and agency affiliation.
Administration officials defended agents’ mask wearing and blasted Democratic lawmakers.
“ICE officers are facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them because of dangerous, untrue smears from elected Democrats,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement. “ICE officers wear masks to protect themselves and their families from being doxed. ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities with the utmost professionalism. Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals are simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”
Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said the county’s mask ban violates the U.S. Constitution, and agents would not comply with it.
“This ordinance violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which makes it clear that Los Angeles does not control federal law enforcement,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “To be crystal clear: ICE will not abide by Los Angeles’ unconstitutional ban.
“While ICE law enforcement officers face a 1,153% increase in assaults against them and an 8000% increase in death threats, these Sanctuary politicians of Los Angeles County California approved this ban, which makes it easier for violent political extremists to target our brave men and women of federal law enforcement for enforcing immigration laws and keeping the American people safe,” McLaughlin said. “Our officers wear masks to protect themselves from being doxed and targeted by highly sophisticated gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, criminal rings, murderers, and rapists who attempt to go after the officers and their families. Just yesterday, a man with an extensive criminal record was arrested in Los Angles for throwing multiple Molotov cocktails while shouting anti-ICE rhetoric.”
Critics have condemned the actions of masked agents, contending those agents usually travel in unmarked vehicles and refuse to present identification, raising concerns about possibly enabling impostors to carry out kidnappings under the guise of being law-enforcement officers.
“No law enforcement officer should ever be allowed to hide behind a mask or conceal their identity while operating in our neighborhoods — not ICE, not anyone,” Horvath said in a statement. “If their actions are truly in the public’s interest, they should be willing to stand openly behind them. As part of our declared local emergency, we are shutting down this dangerous loophole and sending a clear message: in Los Angeles County, transparency is not optional, and no agency gets to operate in the shadows to terrorize our residents.”
The board voted 4-0 to advance the ordinance for a final vote next week, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstaining. Barger has questioned the county’s ability to enforce a law against federal agents.
“I abstained from voting on the proposed ordinance because it is not implementable, not enforceable, and ultimately creates a false sense of security for the very individuals it aims to protect,” Barger said in a statement to HeySoCal.com following the vote. “I fully recognize the real fear and anxiety immigrant communities are experiencing in light of recent ICE actions, and I continue to support efforts that encourage agents to carry identification. But there is no local law enforcement agency that can enforce the mandates outlined in this ordinance, which renders it symbolic rather than effective. The reality is that federal agents’ actions and authorities supersede those of local law enforcement, regardless of any County ordinance. Our communities deserve meaningful solutions. This ordinance only promises protection without the ability to deliver it.”
If a board majority votes for the ordinance Dec. 9, it will take effect 30 days later.
Updated Dec. 3, 2025, 8:32 a.m.
