{"id":6176,"date":"2026-08-04T15:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6176"},"modified":"2026-08-04T15:00:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:00:08","slug":"us-federal-judge-blocks-new-yorks-ban-on-ice-officers-wearing-masks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6176","title":{"rendered":"US federal judge blocks New York\u2019s ban on ICE officers wearing masks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"d0593cbf-549d-493c-8ecf-811e3ce7d6bc\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"close up of two men wearing masks and a woman without a mask\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e7163a3c7a1b001228ab2a6a4608acda22893311\/0_0_6000_4000\/master\/6000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Masked federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Ted Weiss federal building on 12 May 2026 in New York City.<\/span> Photograph: Michael M Santiago\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"d0593cbf-549d-493c-8ecf-811e3ce7d6bc\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Masked federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Ted Weiss federal building on 12 May 2026 in New York City.<\/span> Photograph: Michael M Santiago\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">US federal judge blocks New York\u2019s ban on ICE officers wearing masks<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Judge puts hold on mask ban while allowing state law prohibiting cooperation between police and ICE to stand<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A New York law banning US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ice-us-immigration-and-customs-enforcement\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">ICE<\/a>) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring that they wear visible identification has been put on hold by a federal judge. But a state law prohibiting cooperation between local police departments and ICE has been allowed to stand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The mask ruling comes after federal judges have blocked similar laws in California, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/judge-blocks-virginia-ice-mask-ban-on-eve-of-implementation\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Virginia <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/government\/us-judge-halts-philadelphias-ice-out-ban-masked-federal-law-enforcement-agents-2026-07-02\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Pennsylvania<\/a> that sought to ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces. They are still required to wear agency identification badges and badge number.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">US district judge Mae D\u2019Agostino of the federal court in Albany, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/new-york\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">New York<\/a>, wrote that while the state \u201cappears to be well-intentioned in its pursuit of transparent policing\u201d, her decision was made on constitutional arguments rather than \u201ctransparency or preferable policy decisions\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">D\u2019Agostino said that New York officials \u201cmay be correct that federal immigration officers wearing masks and not displaying viable identification creates certain dangerous situations that the face covering and identification acts remedy\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">She wrote that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/trump-administration\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Trump administration<\/a> nonetheless has shown a likelihood that the measures go against the supremacy clause of the US constitution, which bars state governments from regulating federal law enforcement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The preliminary ruling means local police officers are blocked from arresting ICE agents for covering their faces in public settings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cThe United States has demonstrated a likelihood that it will succeed on its claim that [New York\u2019s] face covering and identification acts directly regulate federal officers in violation of the supremacy clause,\u201d D\u2019Agostino wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cWhether federal law enforcement agencies have chosen to carry out such operations in a sufficiently transparent manner is an important question. But that question is not for this court to answer at the present time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">New York\u2019s governor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/kathy-hochul\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Kathy Hochul<\/a>, a Democrat, signed the restrictions known as the \u201cNew York mask law\u201d in late May in response to federal immigration enforcement tactics during Donald Trump\u2019s second presidency. Members of the president\u2019s Republican party argue that a mask ban undermines public safety.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">On the issue of whether local law enforcement can cooperate with federal agents, <a href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.nynd.154967\/gov.uscourts.nynd.154967.53.0.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">D\u2019Agostino\u2019s 51-page preliminary ruling<\/a> said New York\u2019s ban on 287(g) cooperation agreements \u2013 that comes into effect later in August \u2013 should stand because it is an \u201cappropriate means of furthering New York\u2019s legitimate interests in protecting public welfare and choosing how state and local resources are expended\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Brandon Neuman, a US justice department lawyer, argued in July that both the mask and cooperation bans in New York are invalid because states can\u2019t make laws that regulate the actions of federal agencies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cThe key harm here is to the sovereign function of the United States,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">James Percival, a general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that oversees immigration enforcement agencies, reacted to D\u2019Agostino\u2019s ruling by <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DHSGenCounsel\/status\/2084387542812578188\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">saying on X <\/a>that Democratic-led states \u201ccontinue to stack losses as they try to pass unconstitutional bans on ICE officers wearing masks\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Hochul and New York\u2019s attorney general, Letitia James, said the ruling allowing the 287(g) ban to remain in effect shows the law \u201cis legal and will keep our communities safe\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cLocal law enforcement should be focused on local matters, and New York taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for any collaboration with ICE,\u201d they said in a joint statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cWhile the court enjoined enforcement of New York\u2019s mask ban, we stand firm in our belief that masked agents do not make New York safer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The statement alluded to the New York government\u2019s ability to appeal D\u2019Agostino\u2019s ruling, saying: \u201cOur offices are reviewing all legal options at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">ICE cooperation has become a campaign issue in Hochul\u2019s bid for re-election in November. She is facing Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau county executive, who supports ICE tactics and opposes the prohibition of cooperation with the agency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/ice-us-immigration-and-customs-enforcement\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/new-york\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">New York<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/usimmigration\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US immigration<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/kathy-hochul\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Kathy Hochul<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/trump-administration\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Trump administration<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=US%20federal%20judge%20blocks%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20ban%20on%20ICE%20officers%20wearing%20masks&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/04\/judge-blocks-new-york-ban-ice-officers-masks?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Faug%2F04%2Fjudge-blocks-new-york-ban-ice-officers-masks&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/aug\/04\/judge-blocks-new-york-ban-ice-officers-masks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Masked federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Ted Weiss federal building on 12 May<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":6178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6176"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6179,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6176\/revisions\/6179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}