Judge blocks Virginia ICE mask ban hours before going into effect

A federal judge blocked a Virginia law instituting a mask ban for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers hours before the measure would have taken effect on Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Payne, appointed by former President George H.W. Bush, issued a preliminary injunction in favor of the Department of Justice. The federal government sued Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Descano last month over what the plaintiff deemed an “unconstitutional” mask ban.