California Gov. Gavin Newsom Vows To Veto Bill Limiting State’s Cooperation With ICE

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has vowed to veto a Democratic-backed bill that seeks to limit state cooperation with federal immigration authorities further, emphasizing his stance that the state’s current “sanctuary” law balances protections for immigrant communities and ensures the deportation of serious criminals.

The proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 15, introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Mike Gipson, would expand the sanctuary law (SB 54) to prevent the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It would prohibit state prisons from holding inmates on ICE requests, sharing release dates or transferring individuals to federal custody.

“I believe current law strikes the right balance on limiting interaction to support community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities,” Newsom wrote in the veto message.

“ICE will determine how it will proceed with its enforcement of federal law,” Newsom wrote.

Newsom’s office confirmed that he would reject the bill should it reach his desk, mirroring his decision last year to veto similar legislation, Assembly Bill 1306. The governor has maintained that while cooperation between state prisons and ICE should be limited, it remains necessary in cases involving violent offenders.

His firm stance comes amid the Trump administration’s renewed focus on mass deportations, particularly targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. President Donald Trump‘s top immigration advisor, Tom Homan, has even threatened legal action against state and local officials who impede federal immigration enforcement.

Although Newsom’s veto threat sparked heated political debate, it may ultimately prove unnecessary. Gipson’s office later clarified that he had already planned to abandon the bill, citing a shift in priorities among its sponsors. Chief of Staff EJ Aguayo stated that the bill was intended to be amended into an unrelated proposal and that its current form was never meant to advance.

“We listened to our partners,” Aguayo said. “We did have the intent to amend it pretty much this entire time.”

Despite Newsom’s firm stance on limiting state cooperation with federal immigration authorities, data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows that California has transferred nearly 10,500 inmates to ICE custody since he took office in 2019. His administration has also allocated millions to legal defense funds for undocumented immigrants, reinforcing his commitment to protecting immigrant communities while maintaining a degree of cooperation with federal law enforcement.

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Article by Angie Schlager