Newsom to veto California bill blocking prisons from working with ICE: report
California Governor Gavin Newsom has made it clear that he intends to veto a bill that aims to prevent the state’s prison system from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assembly Bill 15, sponsored by Democratic lawmaker Mike Gipson, argues that transferring immigrant and refugee community members to ICE for immigration detention and deportation purposes results in double punishment and further trauma for these individuals.
The bill states that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall not detain individuals based on a hold request, provide immigration authorities with release date information, respond to notification requests, transfer individuals to immigration authorities, or assist with transfer requests for individuals who are eligible for release. However, Newsom’s office has confirmed that he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk this year. Currently, the legislation is under review by the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee.
This is not the first time Newsom has vetoed a bill with similar intentions. Two years ago, he vetoed Assembly Bill 1306, which also aimed to limit the interaction between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and ICE. Newsom stated that the bill would impede CDCR’s interaction with a federal law enforcement agency responsible for assessing public safety risks and that the current law strikes the right balance in supporting community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities.
According to data from the prison system, over 10,500 California inmates have been transferred to ICE custody since Newsom assumed office in 2019. Despite the opposition to the bill, Newsom’s decision to veto it aligns with his previous stance on similar legislation. Newsom believes that the current laws strike the right balance in protecting public safety while maintaining community trust.
In conclusion, Governor Newsom’s commitment to veto Assembly Bill 15 reflects his ongoing efforts to navigate the complex issues surrounding immigration enforcement and public safety in California. While the bill aims to protect vulnerable immigrant and refugee populations, Newsom’s decision underscores the challenges of finding a balance between cooperation with federal agencies and safeguarding the rights and well-being of all individuals in the state.
