Judge Mae D'Agostino puts hold on New York mask ban for federal immigration agents while allowing cooperation ban to stand
A federal judge has placed a preliminary injunction on a New York state law that prevents U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks and requiring them to display visible identification. Judge Mae D'Agostino ruled that the state's actions directly regulate federal officers in violation of the Supremacy Clause, which prevents state governments from regulating federal law enforcement. While the mask ban was put on hold, the judge allowed a separate state law prohibiting cooperation between local police and ICE to remain in effect. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James defended the cooperation ban, stating that local law enforcement should focus on local matters and that taxpayers should not have to pay for federal collaboration. The mask ban was enacted by the administration during the second presidency of Donald Trump to increase transparency. However, the federal government argued that the supremacy clause ensures federal authority over immigration enforcement. The administration announced that the ruling is a preliminary decision, and New York officials are currently reviewing legal options to appeal the ruling.