DHS says ICE will not follow California’s mask ban for agents

(KRON) — U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials vehemently condemned Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday for signing California’s “No Secret Police Act.”

Senate Bill 627 bans Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks covering their faces while conducting operations, including immigration enforcement.

DHS officials wrote, “When our heroic law enforcement officers conduct operations, they clearly identify themselves as law enforcement while wearing masks to protect themselves from being targeted by highly sophisticated gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, criminal rings, murderers, and rapists. Our officers also wear vests marked with ICE/ERO or Homeland Security.”

DHS claims that the “No Secret Police Act” demonizes law enforcement and attempts to thwart ICE agents from protecting their identities from cartels, terrorists, and other criminals.

“This stunt comes as our ICE officers are facing a more than 1,000% increase in assaults against them, including vehicles being used as weapons towards them, and doxing campaigns targeting federal officers and their families,” DHS officials wrote.

The bill was introduced by two Bay Area officials; State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and State Sen. Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley). Newsom signed the bill over the weekend.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Monday, “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by Newsom’s unconstitutional ban.”

McLaughlin continued, “At a time that ICE law enforcement faces a 1,000% increase in assaults and their family members are being doxxed and targeted, the sitting Governor of California signs unconstitutional legislation that strips law enforcement of protections in a disgusting, diabolical fundraising and PR stunt. He signed this piece of legislation the same day his team made a menacing threat against Secretary Kristi Noem online. The violent rhetoric and demonization must stop.”

ICE will continue to remove “violent criminal illegal aliens” from the streets of California, DHS officials vowed.

ICE and DHS compiled lists called “Worst of the Worst” of people who were arrested by immigration enforcement agents this year. The lists include several people from the Bay Area:

• ICE San Francisco arrested David Rodriguez-Veliz of El Salvador. DHS officials said he is an MS-13 gang member who was convicted of gun charges in San Rafael. He’s also a fugitive wanted in El Salvador for disappearance of persons.
• ICE San Francisco arrested Raul Esquivel-Muniz of Mexico. He was convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child and spousal rape in Vallejo.
• ICE San Francisco arrested Renaniel Alviola Nilong. He is a suspected terrorist and wanted for murder in the Philippines.