New York's ban on masked ICE and federal agents

Budget provisions barred on-duty officers from concealing identity and limited ICE at sensitive locations. DOJ sued in WDNY (June 23) and NY countersued in NDNY; the ban took effect June 26. On Aug. 3, 2026, Judge Mae D'Agostino (NDNY) granted a preliminary injunction blocking the mask ban and ID requirements as likely unconstitutional interference with federal law enforcement, while denying the injunction against the separate 287(g) agreement ban. Hochul and James say they are reviewing legal options on the mask ban; sensitive-locations protections were not blocked. Merits litigation continues.