Appeals Court Blocks California Law Requiring Federal Agents to Show ID

The No Vigilantes Act, signed by Gov. Newsom in September, conflicts with the U.S. Constitution and federal law, the Ninth Circuit appeals panel ruled.

Federal agents block people protesting an ICE operation at a cannabis farm near Camarillo, Calif., on July 10, 2025. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on April 22 permanently blocked California from enforcing a new law requiring federal immigration officers to display identification when on duty in the state, ruling the law was unconstitutional.

“We conclude that ... the No Vigilantes Act attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions,” the appeals panel wrote in its order. “The Supremacy Clause forbids the State from enforcing such legislation.”