Federal court blocks California law requiring ID badges for immigration agents

A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked California's 2025 law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification badges, ruling the statute unconstitutionally attempts to regulate the federal government, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The ruling deals a setback to California's efforts to increase transparency around immigration enforcement — an issue with direct implications for Orange County, home to one of the state's largest immigrant communities and a frequent flashpoint for federal immigration operations.

The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the California law "attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions," according to an opinion written by Judge Mark J. Bennett, as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles. The court held that such regulation violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes federal law as supreme over conflicting state measures.

California enacted the identification requirement in 2025 amid growing concerns over federal immigration operations conducted by agents who declined to show credentials. The law included exceptions for undercover agents and situations involving protective equipment or tactical gear.

The Trump administration filed suit in November 2025, arguing the mandate would expose officers to harassment, doxing and violence. Justice Department attorneys repeated those arguments at a March 3 hearing before the three-judge panel. The 9th Circuit had already issued a temporary administrative injunction blocking the law before Wednesday's ruling, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

A separate California law banning most law enforcement from wearing masks during operations was similarly blocked by a federal judge in February 2026.

The injunction is pending a full appeal, meaning the identification mandate will remain suspended while the legal challenge proceeds through the courts.