The Department of Homeland Security filed a lawsuit against California over a new state law that would force Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to remove their masks and reveal their identities while doing their jobs.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli announced the legal action on social media this week. He said DHS is fighting back against what he called an unconstitutional attempt to expose federal agents to danger.

“Filed a lawsuit to strike down California’s unconstitutional law aimed at unmasking the faces of our federal agents, which will allow criminals to dox them.”

Essayli pointed out that attacks on federal agents have skyrocketed in recent months.

“Assaults against federal agents have exploded over the last few months, thanks in part to [reckless] political rhetoric aiming to delegitimize our brave agents.”

He said the California law makes the situation even more dangerous for the men and women working to protect communities.

“Unconstitutional laws such as this one further endanger our brave men and women protecting our community. Our immigration enforcement will continue unabated and unhindered by unconstitutional state laws enacted by irresponsible politicians.”

California Democrats introduced the legislation called the No Secret Police Act back in June. The bill number is SB 627. Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law in September, and it is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Democrat State Senator Scott Wiener sponsored the legislation. Wiener recently announced he is running for the House seat currently held by retiring Representative Nancy Pelosi.

The law builds on existing California rules about wearing masks and disguises. Current state law already makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask or disguise while committing a crime or trying to avoid getting caught.

The new law would make it a crime for law enforcement officers to wear facial coverings while performing their duties with only limited exceptions. It defines law enforcement officer very broadly to include peace officers employed by cities, counties, or local agencies. But it also specifically includes officers or agents of federal law enforcement agencies or law enforcement agencies from other states. Even people acting on behalf of federal agencies would be covered.

Violations of the law could be punished as either an infraction or a misdemeanor.

Wiener claimed there has been some kind of rise of secret police whose behavior needed to be stopped. He posted about the legislation on social media when it was first introduced.

“We’re announcing new legislation — the No Secret Police Act (SB 627) — to ban local/state/federal law enforcement, w/ some exceptions, from covering their faces when interacting w/ the public & require them to wear identifying info. Secret police behavior tanks trust & must end.”

The California senator made wild accusations about what he claims is happening with law enforcement.

“We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing & disappearing people. It’s antithetical to democracy & harms communities. The No Secret Police Act can help end the fear & chaos this behavior creates in communities.”

The Department of Justice spoke out against the legislation shortly after it was introduced. Federal officials made it clear that states do not have the authority to regulate how federal law enforcement operates.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division posted on social media telling Wiener he should consult a lawyer. She suggested he would discover his proposal violates the law.

The timing of this lawsuit makes sense given the rising threats against ICE agents. Federal immigration enforcement officers have faced increasing danger as they try to do their jobs removing illegal immigrants from the country.

The California law would strip away a basic safety measure that helps protect these agents from being identified and targeted by criminals or activists who want to harm them. When agents conduct raids or make arrests of dangerous individuals, revealing their identities puts them and their families at serious risk.

Democrats have ramped up their rhetoric against ICE and immigration enforcement in recent months. This kind of political language has contributed to a climate where attacks on federal agents have become more common.

House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries even vowed to unmask and reveal the identities of ICE agents who are already facing death threats. Governor Newsom has gone on television to make anti-ICE rants attacking the agency and its mission.

California’s attempt to regulate federal law enforcement operations runs directly counter to constitutional principles about federal supremacy. The federal government has exclusive authority over immigration enforcement, and states cannot interfere with how federal agents carry out their duties.

The lawsuit seeks to strike down the California law before it takes effect at the start of next year. If the state law were allowed to stand, it would set a dangerous precedent of states dictating terms to federal law enforcement.

ICE agents are already working in a hostile environment in California where state and local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Adding a requirement that agents expose their identities would make an already difficult job even more dangerous.

The Department of Homeland Security is standing up for the safety of federal agents and the constitutional authority of the federal government to enforce immigration law without state interference.