On Tuesday, the California Legislature approved a bill that directly targets federal immigration customs enforcement (ICE).
SB 627 makes it illegal for law enforcement personnel to wear face coverings while on duty, although the state cannot enforce this against federal agents.
The legislation outlines law enforcement as any local agency employing individuals classified under California law as peace officers, as well as federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies.
Interestingly, state police, such as the California Highway Patrol (CHP), are explicitly excluded from this definition. The CHP currently provides security for former Vice President Kamala Harris after President Trump declined to continue Secret Service protections.
This bill was co-sponsored by State Senator Anthony Weiner, known for pushing some of the most progressive legislation in the state, including laws on transgender surgery and measures perceived to have increased child exploitation.
The bill explicitly targets ICE, arguing that routine facial coverings by law enforcement hinder public accountability and interaction, emphasizing that these masks should not conceal officers’ identities.
Some critics label mask wearers as “non-Americans,” yet defend protesters using masks during violent demonstrations as exercising their First Amendment rights, even if that can lead to repercussions.
ICE officers wear masks when facing fierce opposition from radical left groups. In fact, I heard about instances where General members encouraged filming ICE agents during their work, citing the need for anonymity to protect their families from backlash.
While California lawmakers might acknowledge their limitations in enforcing SB 627 against federal officers, they still moved forward with it in the state Senate.
The final vote saw the bill pass with a tally of 44-29. As of now, Governor Newsom has yet to comment on it.
Ironically, California has some of the strictest mask mandates in the country, requiring people who aren’t sick to wear masks in most public spaces during the pandemic.
This bill is part of a broader national initiative by progressive groups aimed at forcing ICE and other federal officers to forgo masks in their operations.
Photo: File
