Appeals court blocks California law requiring ICE officers to show visible ID

On October 14, 2026, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked California's No Vigilantes Act, ruling that the state cannot require federal ICE agents to wear visible identification while performing their duties. Written by Judge Mark J. Bennett, the panel held that the regulation violates the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause. Trump administration officials celebrated the ruling as a critical victory for federal authority, while California leaders expressed concern over transparency.

Ruling on California identification law

• ▪The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that blocked the identification requirement under California's No Vigilantes Act consisted of Judges Mark J. Bennett, Daniel P. Collins, and Jacqueline H. Nguyen
• ▪Judge Mark J. Bennett wrote for the 9th Circuit panel that state laws directly regulating U.S. governmental conduct without congressional authorization are void regardless of interference degree
• ▪The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that California's No Vigilantes Act identification requirement violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by directly regulating federal operations
• ▪On October 14, 2026, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals instructed the lower court to enter a preliminary injunction blocking California's No Vigilantes Act requirement that federal immigration agents wear visible identification

Reactions to the court ruling

• ▪Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. praised the 9th Circuit's Wednesday ruling blocking California's No Vigilantes Act as a major victory for federal law enforcement officer safety and immigration enforcement
• ▪First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli and Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate commended the 9th Circuit's Wednesday ruling blocking California's No Vigilantes Act for holding California accountable to the U.S. Constitution

State laws and legal challenges

• ▪U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder previously blocked California's No Secret Police Act mask restriction for federal officers while upholding the No Vigilantes Act visible identification requirement
• ▪California enacted the No Vigilantes Act and No Secret Police Act, effective January 1, following ICE raids throughout the state and public concerns over unidentifiable officers in local communities
• ▪The Justice Department sued California in November 2025 to block both the identification requirement and mask restrictions imposed on federal law enforcement agents

California anti-ICE legislation

• ▪In 2026, California enacted legislation allowing state residents to sue ICE officials and prohibiting ICE agents accused of serious misconduct from state employment
• ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom signed additional legislation banning wearable electroshock devices after ICE awarded a contract for 6,000 pairs of electric shock gloves

Public opinion on immigration

• ▪A September 2026 Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that over 40% of Americans strongly disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of immigration enforcement
• ▪A September 2026 Reuters/Ipsos poll found that American concern over unauthorized immigration was nearly identical to concern over the unchecked spread of measles