Federal immigration agents in California can now conduct raids without displaying their identification, after a federal appeals court blocked a state law requiring them to do so. The decision is a setback for Governor Gavin Newsom, who championed the measure known as the No Vigilantes Act.
Court Blocks California Law Requiring ICE Agent ID
On October 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordered a temporary and indefinite suspension of the No Vigilantes Act, specifically Section 10. This provision had mandated that non-uniformed federal immigration agents carry visible identification while performing duties. The court ruled that California lacked the authority to regulate the functions of federal agents without explicit authorization from Congress.
“Como concluimos anteriormente, la Ley No Vigilantes intenta regular directamente a Estados Unidos en el desempeño de sus funciones gubernamentales”, escribió el juez Mark J. Bennett en nombre del tribunal.
The case reached a federal court in Los Angeles in early 2026.
Legal Dispute Over State and Federal Authority
Before the Ninth Circuit’s intervention, U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder had made a split decision. She blocked California’s law banning the use of masks by law enforcement, arguing it created an unjust exception for state officers, but allowed the ICE identification requirement to proceed. The Ninth Circuit disagreed with her ruling on the identification mandate.
The legal conflict arose amid a surge in immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, which included a deadly ICE agent shooting that resulted in the deaths of civilians Renee Good and Alex Pretti. At that time, more than a dozen states were pushing for similar legislation to restrict federal officers’ actions.
Context of Enforcement and Public Opinion
The court’s decision came at a time of significant changes within the ICE agency, which was discreetly dismissing many of the 12,000 new recruits it had hired the previous year. While public outrage over mass deportations had subsided since the winter, immigration remained a prominent issue for the November 3 elections.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll from September showed that more than 40% of Americans disapproved of the president’s handling of immigration. The poll also noted that the percentage of people concerned about unauthorized immigration was nearly identical to those worried about the uncontrolled spread of measles, with both issues ranking below other national concerns like the cost of living and the war with Iran.
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🚨 BOOM! The 9th Circuit has reportedly blocked California's law requiring ICE agents to display identification while on duty! The ruling deals a setback to Governor Gavin Newsom's restrictions on federal immigration enforcement. Should ICE agents be required to identify… pic.twitter.com/3BtrWEkrbr
