San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz \u2014 who initiated San Jose\u2019s anti-mask policy<\/a> to address community concerns<\/a> about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) \u2014 said he confirmed with the city attorney the ruling has no effect on the city\u2019s policy because it applies to all law enforcement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a significantly important issue for the safety and welfare of our community, and this decision upholds the right of the state and local government to protect its citizens,\u201d Ortiz told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n The San Jose City Council passed a similar policy<\/a> requiring law enforcement officers to identify themselves along with it\u2019s anti-mask measure last fall. San Jose leaders have also banned ICE from using city properties<\/a>\u00a0for immigration enforcement activities.<\/p>\n Snyder\u2019s ruling leaves open the possibility for future state legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if it applies to all law enforcement. State Sen. Scott Weiner, who proposed the \u201cNo Secret Police Act,\u201d has said he will immediately introduce new legislation to include state police in the law.<\/p>\n \u201cICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability,\u201d Weiner said in a statement. \u201cWe will ensure our mask ban can be enforced.\u201d<\/p>\n In her opinion, Snyder wrote the two state laws \u201cserve the public interest by promoting transparency\u201d and that there is no reasonable justification for law enforcement to hide their identities. The ruling takes effect Feb. 19. Huy Tran, executive director of Services, Immigration Rights, and Education Network (SIREN), said the ruling shows the state law \u00a0just needs to be adjusted. SIREN is part of the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network<\/a>, which trains volunteers to track ICE activity, provides free emergency legal services to immigrants and accompanies immigrants to court hearings.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is that local law enforcement doesn\u2019t wear masks as a matter of general operations,\u201d Tran told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThere may be some unique circumstances where that is needed, but a strong policy can account for those limited exceptions, but still set the expectation that law enforcement operate in a way that\u2019s transparent.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Keep](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769027829_854_interactive-184632509590.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n