This cannot be legal.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to veto a bill that would prevent the state’s prison system from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This announcement comes as a response to Assembly Bill 15, which argues that transferring immigrants and refugees to ICE for deportation after they have served their sentences is unfair. Proponents of the bill, including Assemblyman Mike Gipson, a Democrat from Los Angeles, claim that such transfers subject these individuals to additional punishment and harm, even if they are eligible for release.
The bill specifically prohibits the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) from sharing release information, responding to ICE requests for detainee information, or assisting in the transfer of individuals to ICE custody. It essentially calls for an end to all cooperation between state authorities and federal immigration enforcement regarding individuals who have served their time in California prisons.
However, Governor Newsom’s office has stated that he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk. This is not the first time Newsom has rejected similar legislation. In 2021, he vetoed a comparable bill, Assembly Bill 1306, which aimed to block CDCR’s cooperation with ICE in releasing non-citizens from custody. At the time, Newsom argued that such a measure would hinder coordination with federal authorities and limit the state’s ability to assess public safety risks. He emphasized that while limiting ICE interaction is important, it must not come at the expense of protecting communities or undermining public safety.
Currently, California law permits the CDCR to cooperate with ICE in transferring individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes, such as murder and rape, to federal custody for deportation. Since Governor Newsom took office in 2019, more than 10,500 inmates, including violent offenders, have been transferred to ICE custody. The governor’s office has reiterated that cooperation with ICE remains vital for maintaining public safety and ensuring that dangerous individuals are appropriately handled.
In a state already grappling with rising crime rates, Newsom’s decision to reject this bill may be seen as a necessary measure to maintain law enforcement cooperation and protect the public. While critics argue the bill reflects a more lenient stance on immigration, supporters of Newsom’s position point out that public safety must come first, even when dealing with those who have committed crimes but served their time.