New Laws: Assembly Democrats are Leading the Nation in Holding Trump’s ICE Accountable and Empowering Immigrant Families, Workers and Businesses

Legislation signed into law on Tuesday underscores Speaker Robert Rivas and Assembly Democrats' continued stance against Trump's failed immigration policies, while delivering real solutions that defend California.

SACRAMENTO - On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Democrats' new laws that strengthen protections for California's immigrant communities and hold Trump accountable for failed policies and ICE violence.

Assembly Democrats continue to lead the United States with smart, effective solutions that protect workers and businesses, and empower immigrant families. These new laws will:

• Strengthen accountability and oversight of immigration detention facilities in California, including a new tax on private ICE detention centers.
• Increase transparency around federal immigration enforcement activities and the use of law enforcement vehicles and state property.
• Protect families and workers from the devastating consequences of Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement.
• Establish stronger standards for law enforcement practices, including a first-ever ban on wearable electroshock devices.
• Protect access to essential services, including health care, CalWORKs assistance and legal aid.

The Assembly Democratic Caucus came together to author and support dozens of proposals tackling ICE violence. Today's powerful new laws were led by Assemblymembers Dawn Addis, David Alvarez, Anamarie Ávila Farías, Mia Bonta, Isaac Bryan, Jessica Caloza, Sade Elhawary, Jesse Gabriel, Matt Haney, Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, and Celeste Rodriguez.

Protecting Immigrants Since Day One

Standing-up for California's immigrant communities is a top priority for Assembly Democrats, as immigrants across the country face the harmful consequences of Trump's failing immigration agenda.

From the violent killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota to indiscriminate, unlawful ICE raids in Los Angeles that spread fear and uncertainty through immigrant communities, Assembly Democrats have always responded with urgency and real solutions.

When the federal administration announced illegal proposals for new ICE detention centers in California, Trump and ICE put millions of people at risk - and the Assembly spoke out and introduced new legislation to fight back.

The Assembly passed dozens of solutions this year: protecting against indiscriminate raids, inhumane detention centers, heartless cuts to essential services and fear campaigns targeting communities of color, while strengthening oversight of ICE and standing up for immigrant workers and families.

Holding ICE Accountable

Assembly Democrats have led the fight in holding ICE and abusive federal enforcement accountable for jeopardizing the safety of Californians and immigrant communities.

The laws signed by Governor Newsom on Tuesday include:

AB 1627 (Ávila Farías) - Prevents immigration enforcement officers with serious misconduct histories that would disqualify other law enforcement officers from becoming California peace officers.

AB 1633 (Haney) - Imposes a 50 percent tax on private immigration detention centers and directs the revenue to immigration-related services.

AB 1650 (Caloza) - Requires rented vehicles used in law enforcement operations to clearly identify the agency using them, bringing transparency to unmarked ICE-style enforcement tactics.

AB 1655 (Bryan) - Protects families from losing CalWORKs aid when a child or household member is unlawfully detained by ICE.

AB 1801 (Lee) - Requires cities, counties and other public agencies to provide public notice and follow specified procedures before approving the construction or reuse of buildings for private detention facilities.

AB 1806 (Gabriel) - Requires an independent state investigation into fatal federal immigration officer-involved shootings.

AB 1807 (Gabriel) - Keeps ICE operations off state-owned property by prohibiting state facilities from being used for immigration enforcement staging, processing, detention or operations.

AB 1994 (Alvarez) - Requires law enforcement and prosecutors to provide an Immigrant Victims Rights and Resources card, including information on U visas, T visas and VAWA relief.

AB 2318 (Elhawary) - Prohibits law enforcement from denying or delaying emergency medical care for people under their control when treatment can be safely provided.

AB 2495 (Kalra) - Expands the scope of prohibited unfair immigration-related practices that unscrupulous employers use to intimidate and dissuade workers from asserting their workplace rights.

AB 2760 (Sharp-Collins) - Restricts law enforcement agencies' use of wearable electroshock devices and establishes requirements governing their use.

Earlier this month, Governor Newsom signed:

AB 2393 (Addis) - Cracks down on ICE impersonators and false arrests by allowing victims to seek damages when false imprisonment involves masks, restraints, weapons or forced transport.

AB 2460 (Celeste Rodriguez) - Requires schools to update behavioral health referral protocols to better support students and families affected by immigration enforcement or deportation.

AB 2624 (Bonta) - Extends California's existing Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigration support service providers, employees and volunteers who face documented threats, harassment or violence.

A Year of Action to Protect California's Immigrant Communities

The Assembly's priorities remain clear: protect our immigrant communities, defend California's values and economy, and use every tool available to fight back against Trump's failures and federal unlawfulness.

From cracking down on secret policing tactics to defending birthright citizenship, Assembly Democrats continue to turn commitment into action.

Speaker Rivas also has convened community meetings across the state, making sure local immigration service providers, legal advocates and community leaders have a strong voice in legislation proposed this year.

And the Assembly backed up its legislative action with real resources: The 2026-27 state budget supports immigrants and backfills programs and services under threat due to the Trump administration and federal efforts to terminate essential services and programs.

The Assembly also established a $25 million State Litigation Fund to give California the resources to challenge unlawful federal actions and protect the state's interests. That investment has already helped protect more than $207 billion for California's families, workers, businesses and communities from unprecedented federal overreach.

The laws signed by the Governor on Tuesday are the latest solutions in this fight - strengthening transparency, accountability and oversight around federal immigration enforcement while protecting the safety, rights and well-being of California communities. California will keep fighting back.