Fresno city officials on Thursday clarified that the city’s police department will not arrest federal agents who violate California’s recently enacted law banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks.

City Manager Georgeanne White told the City Council at their Thursday meeting that she had contacted Mayor Jerry Dyer, who is attending the U.S. Mayor’s Conference in Washington, D.C. Dyer said Fresno police “will follow state law regarding the wearing of masks,” but emphasized exceptions allowed under the law.

He added that forcing officers to arrest federal agents could lead to dangerous confrontations between armed personnel.

White said Dyer told her, “Should Fresno PD officers see an agent physically abusing a person, I would expect them to stop that as they have a duty to intervene, just as they would if they see a fellow officer abusing a person.”

He also noted that in cases involving shootings, “the federal supremacy clause would take effect,” though he hopes Fresno police would investigate alongside the federal agency.

At the Mayor’s Conference, Dyer said Wednesday that local residents have urged the city to arrest ICE agents under the California mask law, but said he has rejected those calls. “I am not going to do that, I can’t do that, because that is only going to increase the tensions that we have out there.”

Arias Cites ICE Incidents Resulting in Casualties

City Manager White’s clarification followed questions from Councilmember Miguel Arias, who asked the administration to explain whether the law would be enforced for federal agents, particularly in situations similar to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

Arias cited a pattern of deaths in federal custody, noting that 32 individuals died last year while in ICE custody and eight have already died this year in ICE incidents, including Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Diaz, Good, and Alex Pretti, amongst others.

Arias stressed that residents deserve clarity on whether the law will be enforced universally and said city leaders must ensure that Fresno police will act in situations where federal officers abuse their authority.

Fresno Police Department Cites Policy

The Fresno Police Department said Thursday that it will adhere to department policy as it comes to ICE operations in the city.

The policy, which the department shared with GV Wire, states:

“If a specific request is made by ICE or any other federal agency, this Department will provide available support services, such as traffic control or keep-the-peace efforts, or in response to officer safety concerns, during the federal operation.

“Requests for assistance beyond that described above should be directed to a supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for determining whether the requested assistance would be permitted under the California Values Act, GC §7284.2 et seq.

“Any detention by a member of this Department should be based upon the reasonable belief that an individual is involved in criminal activity.”

The department said that it would not elaborate on comments made by city officials pertaining to ICE agents.

Gov. Newsom to Fight President Trump in Court

California Senate Bill 627, signed into law in September 2025, makes it a misdemeanor for law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to wear facial coverings while performing their duties, with limited exemptions.

The law also requires agencies to maintain and publicly post facial covering policies by July 2026. Violations can carry civil penalties, particularly for false imprisonment or unlawful arrests committed while masked.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office did not directly address the statement made by Fresno officials on Thursday.

However, Newsom’s Deputy Director of Communications, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, issued this statement to GV Wire: “The federal government has sued to stop the state from enforcing this law. We are defending the law in court which would go in effect on July 1.”

On Nov. 17, 2025, the Trump Administration sued to block the law citing a 1890 Supreme Court case ruling governing whether a state can prosecute federal law enforcement officers who are performing their duties.

The High Court’s ruling on In re Neagle provided a strong shield for federal agents. However, it also opened the door for state prosecutors room to charge federal officers who act outside what’s “necessary and proper” while performing their duties.

You can learn more about this issue at this link.

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