Gov Newsom Blocks Bill Limiting ICE Cooperation in State Prisons
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), a longtime advocate of the state’s sanctuary laws, has announced plans to veto a bill that would further restrict state prisons from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Newsom has previously boasted about California’s protections for illegal immigrants but has determined that Assembly Bill 15, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, goes too far.
The bill sought to expand sanctuary policies by preventing state prisons from detaining individuals at ICE’s request, transferring inmates to federal custody, or sharing release dates with immigration authorities, according to Fox News.
“The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall not detain on the basis of a hold request, provide an immigration authority with release date information, or respond to a notification request, transfer to an immigration authority, or facilitate or assist with a transfer request any individual who is eligible for release,” the bill reads.
Newsom’s office confirmed to KCRA 3 that he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk. The legislation is currently before the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, per Fox News.
Newsom’s decision to veto the bill does not signal an overall shift in his stance on sanctuary laws, but it places him at odds with progressive legislators pushing for further restrictions on ICE cooperation.
Two years ago, Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1306, which aimed to prevent the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from responding to ICE requests regarding the release of incarcerated non-citizens. At the time, Newsom argued that the bill would hinder federal law enforcement agencies’ ability to assess public safety risks.
Newsom’s decision comes as the Trump administration ramps up its crackdown on illegal immigration. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has warned left-leaning states to “fall into line” with federal policies and announced a lawsuit against New York and Governor Kathy Hochul for prioritizing illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens.
“This is a new DOJ, and we are taking steps to protect Americans. It stops today,” she said, as highlighted by TTOA.
She also made clear that the Justice Department is prepared to take legal action against other states blocking federal enforcement.
Trump, who campaigned on a promise to lead the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, has followed through since returning to the White House. ICE raids in cities known for lenient policies on illegal immigration have led to around 11,000 arrests in an 18-day period—an average of 611 arrests per day, according to the Daily Mail.
Many of these operations have focused on violent gangs, including members of the Venezuelan criminal network Tren de Aragua.
In addition, new executive orders have expanded ICE’s authority, allowing agents to make arrests at sensitive locations such as schools and churches. The Department of Homeland Security has characterized the policy shift as a necessary step to crack down on criminal elements within the illegal immigrant population.
“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murderers and rapists—who have illegally come into our country,” the department said in a statement, per the Daily Mail.
Trump’s administration has also pressured foreign governments to aid in enforcement. After threatening Mexico with tariffs, the administration secured a commitment from the country to deploy 10,000 troops to its northern border.
Border czar Tom Homan remains resolute in the administration’s strategy, calling for increased arrests, particularly of individuals with criminal records.
“Sanctuary cities are putting roadblocks up, we got leaks,” Homan said, referring to intelligence leaks that allegedly have thwarted ICE operations. “So, we need to increase the arrests of illegal aliens, especially those with criminal convictions.”
“So, we’re going to continue. So, three times higher is good.”
“The numbers are good,” he continued. “For me, not good enough.”
“We’ve got to get more.”
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