Immigration
New York’s ICE mask ban is the latest blue-state loss in court
By Emily Hallas
Published August 4, 2026 11:38am ET | Updated August 4, 2026 11:47am ET
A federal judge on Monday ruled New York cannot prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement from wearing face masks.
U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino in the Northern District of New York issued a preliminary injunction ruling that the Constitution’s supremacy clause does not permit the state to regulate federal law enforcement activities. The ruling, which swiftly sparked backlash from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other officials, blocks a measure Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) signed into law in May that banned federal agents from wearing face coverings and required that they wear visible identification.
“Settled law establishes that federal, not state, authorities make the policies that animate the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” D’Agostino, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, wrote. “The issue now before the Court is about constitutionality—not transparency or preferable policy decisions… New York cannot impose its own uniform requirements on federal agents simply because it disagrees with how the Federal Government is exercising its authority.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/4673975/new-york-ice-mask-ban-latest-blue-state-loss-court/#google_vignette
