Newsom Signs Sweeping California Laws Targeting ICE Agents and Federal Immigration Enforcement
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of new laws targeting federal immigration enforcement, including measures allowing lawsuits against federal agents, restricting equipment used by officers and imposing new rules on immigration detention facilities.
Newsom signed 21 immigration-related bills as California continues its confrontation with the Trump administration over President Trump’s deportation and border enforcement agenda. The governor said the measures are intended to increase accountability and oversight of federal immigration operations inside the state.
One of the most significant measures is Senate Bill 747, known as the No Kings Act. The law creates a pathway for individuals to file civil lawsuits against federal officers accused of violating their constitutional rights while conducting enforcement operations.
Another measure, Assembly Bill 2760, prohibits law enforcement officers operating in California from using electric shock gloves. The legislation was advanced after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had purchased thousands of the devices.
California officials will also be required to investigate certain shootings involving federal immigration agents. Assembly Bill 1806 directs state prosecutors to investigate incidents in which federal immigration officers shoot individuals during enforcement operations.
Newsom also approved legislation preventing federal immigration agents from using state-owned property for enforcement activities. Other measures place additional restrictions on crowd-control tactics and increase state oversight of immigration detention centers operating in California.
Private immigration detention facilities are another major target of the package. California will impose a new tax on private detention-center operators, while additional laws establish standards involving detainee healthcare, food and other conditions inside the facilities.
The package also includes restrictions on the development of new immigration detention centers and expands California’s authority to inspect and investigate existing facilities. State officials argue the measures are necessary to ensure people detained by federal immigration authorities receive adequate treatment.
The Trump administration and federal officials are expected to challenge at least some of the new laws. The Constitution’s Supremacy Clause generally prevents states from interfering with federal officials carrying out lawful federal duties, creating significant legal questions about whether California can enforce some of the restrictions against ICE and other federal agencies.
California has already faced court battles over previous attempts to regulate federal immigration officers. Earlier this year, a federal court blocked portions of the state’s restrictions on masked federal agents, while allowing separate identification requirements to remain in effect.
Newsom has defended the latest legislation as an effort to impose greater transparency and accountability on federal immigration operations. The new laws ensure that California’s legal battle with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement will continue both in the courts and across the state.