Executive Summary
- ACLU of Hawaii prioritizes criminal reform and immigrant protections for the 2026 session.
- Executive Director Salmah Rizvi asserts local jurisdiction to hold federal agents accountable.
- Senator Karl Rhoads proposes a bill banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks.
- Rhoads also seeks to ban immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools and churches.
HONOLULU — The ACLU of Hawaii outlined its primary objectives for the upcoming 2026 legislative session on Monday, urging state lawmakers to prioritize criminal legal system reform, gender equity, and enhanced protections for the immigrant community. The organization emphasized the need for local governance to ensure civil liberties are maintained amidst shifting federal enforcement tactics.
Executive Director Salmah Rizvi highlighted the importance of state-level jurisdiction in monitoring federal actions. "We know that local law enforcement agencies do have jurisdiction to hold the federal government and its agents accountable when they commit crimes in our jurisdiction," Rizvi stated. She asserted that state officials possess the authority to ensure Hawaii remains an "open society."
State Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced plans to introduce legislation prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty. According to Rhoads, the proposal is a direct response to recent reports of "hyper-aggressive actions" by individuals identifying themselves as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Senator Rhoads cited specific concerns regarding federal conduct as the impetus for the bill. "The need for this bill is obvious," Rhoads said, referencing incidents involving the alleged execution of an American citizen and detentions without cause. In addition to the mask ban, Rhoads is pushing for legislation that would prohibit immigration enforcement operations in designated "sensitive places," including schools and places of worship. The Hawaii State Legislature is scheduled to convene for its opening day on Wednesday, January 21.
Legislative and Jurisdictional Outlook
The proposed measures signal a potential constitutional confrontation between state regulatory powers and federal law enforcement authority. By moving to restrict specific operational tactics—such as the use of masks by agents—and designating safe zones, Hawaii lawmakers are testing the limits of local sovereignty in the context of federal supremacy. Legal analysts anticipate that if these bills pass, they may face immediate challenges in federal court, potentially establishing new case law regarding the extent to which states can police the conduct of federal agents operating within their borders. It is important to note that while legislative proposals are being debated in response to alleged incidents, all individuals and agents are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
