As New Jersey officials continue to question immigration enforcement tactics by President Donald Trump’s administration, lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit officers from wearing masks in the state.
The bill, S3112, would prohibit all law enforcement officers in New Jersey from wearing any face coverings or disguises while interacting with the public, with limited exceptions.
The measure follows criticism that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents regularly wear masks, which the agency says protects them from online harassment and doxxing. Critics say the masks stoke fear and limit accountability.
Unmasking ICE agents has emerged as a key demand by Democrats in negotiations in Congress over funding for the agency.
The proposed New Jersey law, sponsored by state Sen. Benjie Wimberly, D-Passaic, has been referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. An identical bill in the Assembly is scheduled to be debated and voted on by the Public Safety and Preparedness committee on Thursday.
Under the bill, officers at the federal, state, county and municipal levels would be barred from concealing their faces during official public interactions. Exceptions include undercover assignments, protective face shields that do not obscure identity, physician‑supported use of medical‑grade masks such as N95 respirators, and masks worn during state‑declared smoke emergencies.
Violations would be a disorderly persons offense, punishable by a $500 to $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, according to the proposal. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.
The legislation would need to be passed by both houses of the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and signed by the governor to become law.
ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the proposed masking law.
The debate over ICE agents wearing masks comes as Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration continues to clash with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement. Federal officials have threatened to withhold funding from states that keep restrictions on local police cooperation with immigration authorities.
During last week’s confirmation hearing for acting state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport in Trenton, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-Union, pressed her about reports of federal officers wearing masks during general public operations.
“When you take a look at our state and local law enforcement officers across the state and the operations they do — you just don’t see that,” Davenport said.
“That’s good,” Bramnick interjected. “I want to see the person who’s hitting me over the head with a club or something.”
“Let’s hope that does not happen,” Davenport quipped.
When asked during her confirmation hearing, Davenport would not give an opinion on whether the law should be passed.
“Whether that is something that should be banned or a law, I leave that to this body,” she said, referring to the state Legislature.
Bramnick also pressed Davenport on whether she would be willing to arrest ICE agents if she had reasonable belief they were violating state law. Davenport said she would support prosecuting ICE agents if they break New Jersey law.
