California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced his intention to veto Assembly Bill 15, legislation designed to prevent the state’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, aims to prohibit state prisons from detaining individuals based on ICE requests, sharing release dates, or facilitating transfers to federal custody.
Governor Newsom’s office has indicated that he believes existing laws appropriately balance community trust with public safety concerns. In a previous veto message regarding similar legislation, Newsom stated that current policies limit interactions to support cooperation between law enforcement and local communities.
Since taking office in 2019, Governor Newsom has overseen the transfer of over 10,500 inmates from California prisons to ICE custody. This approach reflects his stance that while fostering trust within immigrant communities is essential, collaboration with federal agencies remains necessary for addressing individuals convicted of serious offenses.
Assembly Bill 15 sought to expand California’s sanctuary policies by restricting state prison cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. However, Governor Newsom’s decision to veto the bill underscores his commitment to maintaining the current framework, which he views as effectively balancing the state’s diverse interests.