As protests against immigration raids and broader policies under President Donald Trump continue to surge across U.S. cities, a new controversy has taken center stage: the face mask.

Trump and his allies have doubled down on calls to ban mask-wearing at protests, with the president demanding that “masked protesters be arrested.” The push has come amid high-profile demonstrations in Los Angeles, where many wore face coverings — not only to guard against surveillance and tear gas, but also for religious, health, or safety reasons.

At the same time, federal agents conducting immigration raids — including members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — have been widely seen wearing masks themselves, leading to widespread accusations of double standards.

“MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“What do these people have to hide, and why?”

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

According to legal experts, the issue of wearing masks at protests remains a murky and unresolved First Amendment question. Scholars say people have historically worn masks to exercise their right to anonymous speech, which is protected under the Constitution.

“The government says agents need masks to avoid being doxed or targeted,” said Prof. Geoffrey Stone of the University of Chicago.

“But protesters want the same protection — to speak out without fear of retaliation. The rationale is identical.”

Tim Zick, a law professor at William & Mary, emphasized that masks can be an essential component of free expression:

“Whether for religious reasons, safety, or to avoid government surveillance, face coverings are integral to how many Americans protest.”

Despite this, at least 18 states and Washington, D.C. already have anti-mask laws, many dating back to efforts to curb the Ku Klux Klan in the mid-20th century. Since late 2023, at least 16 new bills aimed at restricting face masks at protests have been introduced in eight states and Congress, according to the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law.

In some Republican-led states, enforcement has ramped up. In North Carolina, the Senate moved to repeal pandemic-era protections for mask-wearing, specifically targeting demonstrators at Gaza-related protests. In Ohio, the Attorney General warned universities that masked protesters could face felony charges. Arrests have already occurred in Florida and New York under revived mask statutes.

ICE Agents and Public Backlash

Amid these crackdowns, many protestors and civil rights groups have expressed outrage over ICE agents wearing face masks during raids, arguing that it hinders accountability. Viral videos from places like Martha’s Vineyard show residents demanding that masked agents identify themselves.

At a June 12 congressional hearing, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized the practice:

“Don’t wear masks. Identify who you are.”

Democratic lawmakers in California have even introduced legislation to ban law enforcement and federal agents from covering their faces during operations.

But Republican officials have blasted the proposals. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the California bill “despicable,” arguing that ICE agents wear masks to protect themselves from retaliation and doxing.

“I’m sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks,” said ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.

“But I’m not going to let my agents be targeted just because others don’t like immigration enforcement.”

Masked Protest: Expression or Evasion?

The legal and philosophical debate now centers on a fundamental tension: Does a face mask hinder justice or protect it?

“The right to speak anonymously is deeply rooted in American history,” said Aaron Terr, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. “It protects unpopular voices — the very essence of a healthy democracy.”

Protesters say the crackdown on masks is not about security but about silencing dissent, particularly when the same protections are extended to federal agents but denied to civilians.

As the issue heads toward what many legal experts predict will be an eventual Supreme Court showdown, the mask has become far more than fabric — it has become a symbol of modern protest, privacy, and power.