The St. Paul City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on February 7, 2024, prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing masks or face coverings while on duty. This decision follows heightened concerns regarding federal immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota, where numerous federal agents have reportedly been seen using masks.
City Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim emphasized the importance of ensuring residents feel safe and secure in their surroundings. She stated, “I think everyone wants our residents to feel safe, to feel protected and to be able to move around freely, without fear of masked secret agents in our city.”
The ordinance, which will take effect 30 days after obtaining approval from the mayor and subsequent publication, applies to all law enforcement agencies within the city. Molly Coleman, another member of the City Council, confirmed the city’s commitment to transparency in policing.
Typically, St. Paul police do not wear masks, except for specific situations such as extreme cold or during hazardous conditions requiring gas masks, according to police spokeswoman Alyssa Arcand. She noted that any officer found violating the new ordinance could face misdemeanor charges. Arcand also assured that police would educate law enforcement on the new regulations and engage in discussions with local and federal agencies to ensure compliance.
In contrast, a recent judicial ruling in California has blocked a similar law that would have banned federal immigration agents from wearing masks. On February 9, 2024, a federal judge ruled that the mask ban discriminated against federal authorities by not applying to state law enforcement. The Trump administration had previously filed a lawsuit challenging the California law, arguing it posed risks to officers’ safety and contravened constitutional principles regarding federal regulation.
While the California ruling presents challenges, the Minnesota House Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) has announced plans to introduce legislation that would similarly ban masks for immigration agents and require visible identification. Additionally, the St. Paul City Council recently approved an ordinance mandating that law enforcement uniforms display the agency’s name and either a name or badge number.
The recent developments coincide with Tom Homan, the White House border czar, announcing the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. He indicated that a small security force would remain temporarily to protect immigration agents, who will continue to investigate allegations of fraud.
This report includes information from the Associated Press.