Donald Trump Administration Launches Emergency Appeal After Federal Judge Orders ICE Agents to Wear Face Masks and Imposes New Limits on Use of Force During Operations as DOJ File Emergency Motion

Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s ICE Order as DOJ Files Emergency Motion

The Trump administration has moved swiftly to challenge a federal judge’s order imposing new restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), filing an emergency motion through the Department of Justice (DOJ) to block the ruling while an appeal proceeds.

The contested order, issued earlier this week by a federal judge, requires ICE agents to wear face masks during certain enforcement operations and places limits on the use of force, citing concerns over civil rights, public safety, and accountability during immigration actions. The ruling followed legal complaints and advocacy pressure alleging excessive force and lack of transparency in recent ICE operations.

In its emergency filing, the DOJ argued that the judge overstepped judicial authority and interfered with executive branch powers, warning that the order could “severely hinder” ICE’s ability to carry out immigration enforcement effectively. The Trump administration contends that operational decisions, including protective gear and use-of-force protocols, fall under the discretion of federal law enforcement agencies—not the courts.

“This order threatens officer safety and undermines national security,” DOJ attorneys wrote, urging the appeals court to immediately stay the ruling while the case is reviewed. The administration also claimed that existing ICE guidelines already address appropriate use of force and agent conduct, making the court’s intervention unnecessary.

Supporters of the judge’s decision argue the opposite. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates praised the ruling as a necessary check on ICE practices, saying it promotes accountability and protects both agents and civilians. They maintain that requiring face masks and limiting force does not impede law enforcement but instead aligns ICE operations with constitutional standards.

Legal experts note that the emergency appeal sets the stage for a broader confrontation between the judiciary and the executive branch over immigration enforcement authority. The outcome could establish an important precedent on whether courts can impose operational constraints on federal law enforcement agencies.

The appeals court is expected to rule soon on whether to temporarily block the judge’s order while the case moves forward. Until then, the legal battle underscores the ongoing tension surrounding immigration policy, enforcement tactics, and executive power under the Trump administration.