A federal appeals court has stepped directly into California’s ongoing clash with federal immigration enforcement, halting a state law that aimed to change how federal agents operate on the ground.
On Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a key provision of California’s “No Vigilantes Act,” ruling that the state overstepped its authority. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2025, would have required federal immigration officers—including ICE agents—to wear visible identification while conducting operations. That meant displaying either a name or badge number, along with agency affiliation.
BREAKING: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an injunction blocking enforcement of California’s new law that requires ICE agents to unmask and wear visible ID, arguing it violates the Supremacy Clause because it “attempts to directly regulate the United States in its… pic.twitter.com/jedIEO0z2N
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 22, 2026
The court’s reasoning was blunt and rooted in constitutional structure. In its opinion, the panel found that California was attempting to regulate how federal officers carry out their duties—something states are not permitted to do under the Supremacy Clause.
Judge Mark Bennett, writing for the court, made it clear that even well-defined requirements like ID visibility cross a line when applied to federal personnel performing federal functions.
The blocked provision, known as Section 10, included carveouts for undercover officers but still imposed criminal penalties for noncompliance, classifying violations as misdemeanors. That enforcement mechanism appeared to weigh heavily in the court’s analysis, reinforcing the idea that the state was not just expressing a preference but attempting to impose binding rules on federal operations.
California officials, however, are not backing off the broader argument. A spokesperson for Newsom’s office defended the intent behind the law, pointing to concerns about unidentified agents conducting enforcement actions in communities. The criticism reflects ongoing tension in the state, where immigration enforcement has been both a political and public flashpoint.
Huge legal victory this morning in the Ninth Circuit, where the court permanently enjoined California’s unconstitutional mask law targeting federal agents.
“We conclude that § 10 of the No Vigilantes Act attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of… pic.twitter.com/fZNjG9QepO
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) April 22, 2026
Federal officials framed the ruling as a clear win. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described it as a decisive rejection of what he called an unconstitutional attempt to target federal agents.
The Ninth Circuit’s decision doesn’t end the fight, but it draws a firm boundary: states cannot dictate the operational rules of federal law enforcement. What comes next—whether through further appeals or new legislative strategies—will determine how far California continues to push that boundary.
