On Monday, August 4th, 2026, District Judge Mae D'Agostino of the Northern District of New York temporarily blocked key portions of a New York state law that would have prohibited federal immigration agents, including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from wearing masks and required them to display visible identification while performing their duties.

Judge D'Agostino issued a preliminary injunction stopping the state from enforcing these provisions as a legal challenge proceeds. In her ruling, she found the provisions likely unconstitutional because they interfere with federal law enforcement operations carried out by agencies such as ICE, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The judge emphasized that only the federal government has the authority to establish policies governing federal law enforcement operations, stating, "New York cannot impose its own uniform requirements on federal agents simply because it disagrees with how the Federal Government is exercising its authority."

In response, ICE and New York officials issued a joint statement saying, "While the court enjoined enforcement of New York’s mask ban, we stand firm in our belief that masked agents do not make New York safer and our offices are reviewing all legal options at this time."

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul have maintained that New York’s ban on 287(g) agreements is legal and essential for community safety. They argue that local law enforcement should focus on local matters and that New York taxpayers should not bear the cost of collaboration with ICE.

The legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement policies.

Sources