Newsom threatens to veto bill limiting state prison ICE cooperation

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) plans to veto a bill that would prevent the state's prison system from collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), his office told The Hill on Friday.

"The Governor will veto AB 15 if it reaches his desk," the office said.

Assembly Bill 15 states that when California’s jails and prisons voluntarily and unnecessarily transfer immigrants eligible to release from state or local custody to ICE for detention and deportation purposes, these community members face "double punishment and further trauma."

"The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) 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 says.

The state's law permits the CDCR to communicate and work with ICE to transfer inmates convicted of felonies to ICE custody after they have completed their prison sentences.

Newsom has previously vetoed this bill on two occasions: Assembly Bill 1306 in 2023 and another version, Assembly Bill 1282, in 2019.

Since Newsom took office, the state prison system has notified and coordinated with ICE the transfer of 10,588 state inmates — murderers, rapists, violent offenders, and more — into ICE custody, per the governor's office.

In its statement to The Hill, Newsom's office noted that data shows immigrants — including those who lack permanent legal status — commit crimes at far lower rates than citizens do.

"For immigrants that do commit crimes, California law has important exceptions that allow law enforcement agencies to communicate and coordinate with ICE about release dates so ICE can take custody of individuals with serious prior criminal convictions; who have been arrested and a judge determines enough evidence exists to charge them for a serious or violent felony or any felony that carries a possible prison sentence under state law; or who have an outstanding serious federal arrest warrant," the statement added.

The office further stated that CDCR works with ICE to take custody of individuals who have been convicted of felony crimes and have completed their sentences in California state prisons.

Newsom is adopting a more amicable stance toward President Trump as he navigates the realities of a Washington dominated by Republicans.

Earlier this month, he visited the district to advocate for disaster relief from Trump in the wake of last month’s devastating wildfires in Southern California. His tone and approach were significantly more accommodating than in his previous comments about the president.

During a recent CNN interview, Newsom referred to his relationship with Trump as “one of the more interesting relationships in politics.”

Topics

Newsom promotes bill to bring interest from fire-related insurance payments to homeowners

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) threw his support Monday behind legislation aimed at guaranteeing that wildfire-impacted homeowners, rather than their lenders, would receive interest earned from ...
The Hill - Feb. 10
Males detained by ICE to be housed in federal prisons, new memo says

Males detained by ICE to be housed in federal prisons, new memo says
ABC News - 4d
Hochul threatens to send in National Guard over prison guard strike

A New York prison guard strike is entering its third day, and Gov. Kathy Hochul is threatening to deploy the National Guard.
CBS News - 5h
Delaware Bill Seeks to Defend Its Place as the Corporate State

After a bruising battle with Elon Musk, the state where most of the S&P 500 is incorporated, is making itself more pliable for boards and big shareholders.
Inc. - 22h
‘Serial Swatter’ Who Made Nearly 400 Threatening Calls Gets 4 Years in Prison

Alan W. Filion, 18, of Lancaster, Calif., pleaded guilty to making false threats of mass violence, which prosecutors said prompted large police deployments and, in some cases, unnecessary detentions.
The New York Times - Feb. 11
Bitcoin could see $23 billion inflow if these 18 states pass bills to establish crypto reserves

If all 20 bills introduced in 18 states to establish state-level bitcoin reserves are enacted, it could potentially lead to the buying of more than $23 billion worth of bitcoin — or some 247,000 ...
MarketWatch - 5d
Newsom takes friendlier tack with Trump in sign of new political reality

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is taking a friendlier approach to President Trump as he adjusts to the new political realities of governing amid a GOP-dominated Washington. This week Newsom ...
The Hill - Feb. 9
Kansas governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care for minors

Kansas’s Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a proposal to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth for the third consecutive year, setting up another battle with the state’s ...
The Hill - Feb. 12
Trans youth care ban vetoed by Kansas governor again

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed Senate Bill 63, which would have restricted gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
ABC News - Feb. 12