California lawmakers pass bill barring authorities from wearing face masks

By TR N NGUY N Associated Press SACRAMENTO Calif AP California state lawmakers have passed rule that would ban the majority law enforcement officers from covering their faces while carrying out operations a response to modern immigration raids in Los Angeles But even if the governor signs the measure into law it s unclear whether the state could enforce it on the federal agents who have been carrying out those raids It is the first such bill to be approved by a state legislature though Democrats in Congress and lawmakers in several states including Tennessee Michigan Illinois New York Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have introduced similar proposals calling for mask bans for law enforcement officers California s provision approved in the Democratic-controlled Legislature on Thursday is among a number of bills state lawmakers were considering this year in response to the immigration raids The bill would prohibit neck gator ski masks and other facial covering for local and federal officers including immigration enforcement agents while they conduct official business It makes exceptions for undercover agents healthcare masks such as N respirators or tactical gear Gov Gavin Newsom has about a month to decide whether to sign it into law The Democratic governor has criticized federal agents use of masks while making arrests but in July also questioned the state s authority over federal agents His office disclosed Friday it does not typically comment on pending rule Proponents of the bill explained the proposal is necessary especially after the Supreme Court earlier this week ruled that the federal administration can resume the sweeping immigration operations for now in Los Angeles Assemblymember Juan Carrillo vice chair of the Latino caucus explained the decision is effectively allowing federal agents stop defendants based solely on their race language or job How is anyone supposed to reasonably believe that they are law enforcement officers and not masked individuals trying to kidnap you he reported prior to the vote Imagine the absolute fear of being pulled over at gunpoint by a group of masked individuals Supporters also cited an opinion from constitutional law expert Erwin Chemerinsky at the University of California Berkeley to defend the proposal A state cannot directly regulate the federal governing body he wrote in an opinion piece for the Sacramento Bee but that does not mean federal employees do not have to follow state rules unless doing so would significantly interfere with the performance of their duties For example while on the job federal employees must stop at red lights ICE agents have never before worn masks when apprehending people and that never has posed a issue Nor have other officers of local state and federal law enforcement faced dangers from the masses because they don t wear masks in the streets he wrote Related Articles Lawsuit says US held West African displaced persons in straitjackets for hours on flight to Ghana Man arrested in Charlie Kirk s killing had no known criminal history had become more political ICE officer fatally shoots suspect after being dragged by car near Chicago agents say Florida Everglades detainees continue to face obstacles to meet with lawyers court papers allege Wealth jobs sparked local anger in Georgia before Hyundai raid Republican lawmakers and law enforcement agencies stated the provision would only make the job more dangerous for officers Bad guys wear masks because they don t want to get caught Good guys wear masks because they don t want to get killed declared state Republican Sen Kelly Seyarto on Thursday The increase in high-profile immigration enforcement was already contentious between those opposed to the actions of Trump s administration and those in endorsement of them The sight of masked agents carrying it out is creating a whole new level of conflict in a way that has no real comparison in the U S history of policing Trump administration officers have consistently defended the practice saying that immigration agents have faced strident and increasing harassment in populace and online as they have gone about their enforcement in institution of Trump s drive toward mass deportation and hiding their identities is for their and their families safety Democrats and others including several state attorneys general have pushed back saying the use of face masks generates society fear and should be halted