California’s ID Requirement for Federal Agents Blocked

A federal appeals court has determined that California cannot mandate federal immigration agents and other federal officers to show identification during their enforcement activities.

On Wednesday, a panel of three judges from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that California’s “No Vigilantes Act” infringes on the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This decision overturns a previous ruling and issues a preliminary injunction to prevent the state from enforcing the ID requirement against federal officers and agencies.

The law had required law enforcement officers in California, including those from federal agencies, who were not in uniform, to prominently display their agency and either a name or badge number when conducting enforcement actions. Failure to comply could lead to misdemeanor charges from the state.

Judge Mark Bennett, representing the panel, explained that the law attempts to regulate the federal government while it carries out its functions, which a state cannot do without congressional approval. Since law enforcement is a fundamental government responsibility, the court stated that the ID requirement does not apply to federal officers acting within their authorized duties.

The judges expressed confidence, declaring that the federal government is not just likely but “certain” to win its constitutional challenge.

California had contended that the law was acceptable as it did not significantly interfere with federal operations, but the judges dismissed this argument. They asserted that even minor interference is problematic when a state seeks to directly govern federal activity. The panel included judges appointed by both Obama and Trump administrations and had already suspended the enforcement of the ID requirement back in April prior to this latest ruling.

The No Vigilantes Act was implemented in 2025 following federal immigration raids across California, many of which were executed by agents in unmarked vehicles wearing masks, prompting pushback from Democratic leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom approved this alongside the No Secret Police Act, which bars officers from donning face coverings and was previously halted by a district judge earlier this year. With the appeals court ruling in favor of the Trump administration, California’s options are limited to requesting a rehearing or appealing to the Supreme Court.

This recent ruling has sparked considerable reactions, reigniting the ongoing conflict between state authorities and the federal government over immigration enforcement.