Newsom vows to veto bill blocking California corrections from cooperating with ICE, Trump migrant policies

A Shift in California’s Stance on Immigration Policy Under Governor Gavin Newsom

In a surprising turn of events, California Governor Gavin Newsom has reversed his position on a key piece of legislation aimed at limiting cooperation between the state’s prison system and federal immigration authorities. The bill in question, Assembly Bill 15 (AB 15), authored by Los Angeles-area Representative Mike Gipson, seeks to expand California’s sanctuary state laws by prohibiting the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in certain ways. Despite his earlier efforts to resist President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, Newsom has signaled his readiness to veto AB 15 if it reaches his desk, marking a significant departure from his previous stance.

Understanding Assembly Bill 15 and Its Implications

AB 15 aims to overhaul current state laws that require the corrections department to identify undocumented immigrant inmates facing deportation, share information with federal authorities, and transfer individuals to federal custody. The proposed legislation would prohibit state authorities from detaining individuals based on immigration hold requests, sharing release date information, or facilitating transfers of inmates eligible for parole, including youth offenders, the elderly, and those granted medical parole. By repealing these provisions, AB 15 would further solidify California’s status as a sanctuary state, a designation it earned under the California Values Act (State Bill 54), signed into law by former Governor Jerry Brown in 2017.

The California Values Act and Sanctuary State Status

The California Values Act, also known as SB 54, was a landmark piece of legislation that limited the ability of local and state law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration authorities. The law prohibited the use of state resources to aid in immigration enforcement and created a framework to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. SB 54 was enacted in response to President Trump’s hardline immigration policies during his first term in office. By expanding these protections, AB 15 would further restrict state-federal collaboration, aligning with California’s broader efforts to shield undocumented immigrants from federal deportation efforts.

Governor Newsom’s Veto and the Balance of Power

Newsom’s decision to veto AB 15 reflects his belief that the current laws already strike the right balance between limiting state involvement in federal immigration enforcement and maintaining community trust. In a statement to the legislature, Newsom wrote, "I believe current law strikes the right balance on limiting interaction to support community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities." This stance is consistent with his earlier veto of AB 1306 in 2023, which would have further restricted state-prison cooperation with ICE. While Newsom has historically opposed Trump’s immigration agenda, his actions suggest a cautious approach to altering the existing legal framework.

California’s History of Resistance to Federal Immigration Policies

Since taking office in 2019, Governor Newsom has been a vocal opponent of President Trump’s immigration policies, particularly those related to mass deportations. In response to Trump’s election in 2016, Newsom began preparing California to resist federal initiatives, including the creation of an "Immigrant Support Network" to connect undocumented immigrants with public services. Additionally, Newsom allocated $50 million in state funds to defend immigrants against federal deportation proceedings, with $25 million earmarked for legal battles and another $25 million for legal groups representing immigrants in deportation cases. These efforts underscore California’s role as a sanctuary state and its commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants.

The Practical Impact of Newsom’s Veto

Despite Newsom’s resistance to Trump’s agenda, data shows that California has continued to cooperate with ICE during his tenure. Since 2019, the state has facilitated the transfer of over 10,500 inmates to federal immigration authorities. This cooperation appears to contradict the spirit of the sanctuary state laws, raising questions about the practical implications of Newsom’s veto. By maintaining the status quo, Newsom is effectively preserving a system that allows for limited collaboration between state and federal authorities, even as he continues to challenge Trump’s broader immigration policies in court.

In conclusion, Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto AB 15 represents a strategic balancing act between resisting federal immigration policies and maintaining cooperation with ICE. While California remains a sanctuary state, Newsom’s actions reflect a nuanced approach to immigration enforcement, one that seeks to protect undocumented immigrants while preserving the state’s ability to manage its prison system and public safety. As the debate over immigration continues, Newsom’s stance highlights the complexities of navigating state and federal priorities in a deeply divided political landscape.