A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against key provisions of a New York law that would have prohibited federal immigration agents from wearing masks and required them to display visible identification while performing their duties. U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino of the Northern District of New York determined that these provisions are likely unconstitutional as they interfere with federal law enforcement operations, including those of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies.
Judge D'Agostino stated that only the federal government has the authority to set policies for federal law enforcement operations, meaning New York cannot dictate how federal agents conduct their official duties. In her ruling, she emphasized that New York cannot impose its own uniform requirements on federal agents due to disagreements with federal authority.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James criticized the ruling, indicating they are exploring further legal options. They expressed their belief that masked agents do not enhance safety in New York.
The judge, however, did not block a separate provision that prohibits local law enforcement agencies in New York from performing certain federal immigration enforcement functions under 287(g) agreements, stating that participation by state and local agencies in federal civil immigration enforcement is voluntary. Hochul and James welcomed this aspect of the ruling, asserting that New York taxpayers should not be responsible for funding local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.