A federal appeals court has blocked enforcement of a California law that would require federal immigration agents to display visible identification while conducting operations in the state.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit issued the ruling Wednesday, agreeing with the Trump administration's argument that the state mandate is likely unconstitutional. The court had previously issued a brief hold on the law while it conducted a more thorough review of the legal challenges.

The California law, passed in 2025, required federal immigration agents to wear badges or other forms of identification that would be clearly visible to the public during enforcement activities. State lawmakers argued the measure was necessary for transparency and accountability in federal immigration operations.

The Trump administration challenged the law, contending that states cannot impose operational requirements on federal agents and that such mandates interfere with federal immigration enforcement authority. The Department of Justice argued the identification requirements could compromise agent safety and operational effectiveness.

The appeals court's ruling keeps enforcement of the California law paused while the court continues to examine the constitutional issues raised in the case. The decision represents the latest clash between state and federal authorities over immigration policy and enforcement practices.

The case is expected to continue through the federal court system as both sides prepare for further legal arguments on the merits of the constitutional challenge.