California and 17 States Challenge Masked ICE Raids

California and a coalition of 17 other states filed an amicus brief on July 7, 2025, supporting a lawsuit to block immigration raids conducted by masked agents from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection. The legal challenge follows a heavily armed sweep of MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, with officials alleging that agents are conducting suspicionless stops based on skin color and detaining U.S. citizens to meet arrest quotas.

Federal officials and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association defend the use of balaclavas and neck gaiters as essential security measures. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi argue that masking protects agents and their families from doxing, facial recognition technology, and social media exposure. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied claims of racial targeting and cited a significant increase in assaults against law enforcement since mass deportation efforts began.

Democratic lawmakers are pushing for legislative bans on the practice. Representative Nydia Velazquez introduced a federal bill to outlaw masked and unmarked agents, while California State Senator Scott Wiener introduced a similar no secret police measure. These efforts coincide with a spending package signed by President Donald Trump that allocates nearly $30 billion to ICE and $2 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to expand operations.