California Governor Makes Shocking U-Turn After AG Sues New York

California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to veto a bill aimed at barring the state prisons from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Newsom’s office made it clear, stating, “The Governor will veto AB 15 if it reaches his desk.”

Assembly Bill 15 takes a stand against what it describes as unnecessary collaboration between California jails and ICE.

The bill highlights that transferring immigrants, who are otherwise eligible for release, to ICE custody for deportation subjects them to “double punishment and further trauma.”

It specifically prohibits California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) from cooperating with immigration authorities.

This includes detaining individuals based on ICE hold requests, sharing release date information, responding to notification requests, or assisting with transfers of individuals eligible for release.

Under existing state law, CDCR can engage with ICE to transfer custody of inmates after they have completed their prison terms, particularly if the inmates have been convicted of felonies.

Notably, this isn’t the first time Newsom has opposed a similar bill. He previously vetoed two other attempts—Assembly Bill 1306 in 2023 and Assembly Bill 1282 in 2019.

“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,” Newsom’s office told The Hill.

“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.

They reiterated the policy, noting that CDCR collaborates with ICE exclusively in cases where individuals, having been convicted of felonies, have concluded their sentences in California’s correctional facilities.

The move comes on the heels of Attorney General Pamela Bondi warning blue states of potential federal actions.

On Wednesday, she disclosed that the Department of Justice had initiated legal proceedings against New York and Governor Kathy Hochul, accusing them of favoring undocumented immigrants over U.S. citizens.

“This is a new DOJ, and we’re taking steps to protect Americans,” Bondi declared. “It stops today.”

Bondi made it clear that the Justice Department is prepared to turn its attention to other states obstructing federal actions, though she expressed a desire to avoid escalation.

“We’re going to see what they do next,” she said. “We don’t want to sue you. We don’t want to prosecute people. We want people to comply with the law.”

Meanwhile, Richard Grenell, who serves as President Trump’s envoy for “special missions” and interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, hinted at a potential bid for California governor on Friday.

Grenell mentioned he could run if former Vice President Kamala Harris were to step into the race for Newsom’s soon-to-be-vacant position in 2026, when he is term-limited.

“If Kamala Harris runs for governor—I believe that she has such baggage and hundreds of millions of dollars in educating the voters of how terrible she is—that it’s a new day in California, and that the Republican actually has a shot,” Grenell remarked. “And I wouldn’t say no.”

Harris, while surveying wildfire damage in the state last week, was asked about the possibility of running for governor.

She avoided shutting down the speculation entirely, stating, “I have been home for two weeks and three days. My plans are to be in touch with my community, to be in touch with the leaders, and figure out what I can do to support them.”