Federal Judge Blocks New York's Ban on ICE Agents Wearing Masks, Upholds 287(g) Ban
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against New York's law that prohibited immigration agents from wearing masks while on duty. U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino ruled that the state cannot enforce this ban, citing the Supremacy Clause, which prevents states from regulating federal officers. However, the judge upheld a separate provision of the law that bans 287(g) cooperation agreements between local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision is part of an ongoing legal battle between New York state officials and the Trump administration, which challenged the state's restrictions. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James expressed their intent to explore further legal options, emphasizing their belief that masked agents do not enhance public safety.