The California Legislature passed two bills Thursday to prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering up their faces and asking them to identify themselves.
Sens. Senate bill 627 of Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) include exceptions to the SWAT team and others. The Trump administration proposed the measure earlier this year after ordering immigration attacks across the Los Angeles area.
Federal officials with Army Green Neck Gait or other facial cover jumped out of vans and cars to detain individuals across California as part of President Trump’s massive expulsion plan, prompting criticism from Democratic leaders.
Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security defended facial cover, believing that officials were confirmed to be retaliated and violent.
If backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the law would apply to local and federal officials, but not to state officials such as California Highway Patrol personnel. When asked about exemptions on Senate ground, Wiener declined to elaborate.
While some legal experts believe that the supremacy of the U.S. Constitution determines that federal law takes precedence over state law, leaders in Los Angeles County are exploring similar measures to prohibiting masks.
Supporters of the bill argue that allowing officials to hide their creation scenarios, allowing impostors to stop and detain immigrants, undermining public trust and ultimately hindering legal enforcement actions.
“In California, we’re going to have the idea that law enforcement officers are running around with ski masks is frightening,” Wiener said in a brief interview. “It undermines confidence in law enforcement.”
Wiener’s bill allows for exceptions to masks, including undercover personnel. Medical insurance is also allowed. .
Senate Bill 805, a measure targeting immigration officials in plainclothes but unidentified form, also passed the state legislature on Thursday.
Her bill requires law enforcement officers in plain clothes to display their agency and badge numbers or names and have exemptions.
