California Governor Gavin Newsom signed nearly two dozen bills on September 29, many of which were advanced by San Jose area lawmakers, to address federal immigration enforcement. These new state laws seek to protect immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and hold detention center operators accountable.
Assemblymember Alex Lee, representing North San Jose, Milpitas, Fremont, Newark, and Sunol, co-authored Assembly Bill 1633 with Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who represents East San Jose and South County. AB 1633 imposes a 25% tax on private detention center operators, starting July 1, 2028. The funds generated from this tax are earmarked for immigration services. Lee stated that this measure aims to rein in the profits of private prison operators and invest directly back into immigrant services, noting that over 6,000 people are typically held in California’s privately-run detention facilities.
Another key piece of legislation, Senate Bill 942, known as the Civil Detainee Bill of Rights Act, was co-authored by Assemblymember Kalra and state Senator Dave Cortese. This bill grants immigrants held in detention facilities rights to humane care, safe living conditions, and healthy food. Kalra previously described SB 942 as the "nation’s first Detainee Bill of Rights," intended to enforce crucial safety and dignity standards for individuals in immigration detention.
The push for these bills follows widespread concerns regarding alleged human rights violations in ICE detention facilities, including inhumane living conditions, sexual abuse, unsanitary food, and inadequate medical care. Reports indicate that more than 50 people died in ICE detention centers during President Donald Trump’s second administration, marking the highest number in at least a decade.
Additional legislation signed by the Governor aims to regulate the actions of federal immigration agents. Senate Bill 747, the No Kings Act, led by state Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco, allows individuals to sue ICE for constitutional violations. Assembly Bill 1806, spearheaded by Southern California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, mandates that the state attorney general investigate killings of unarmed residents by immigration agents. Furthermore, Senate Bill 873, co-authored by Assemblymember Kalra, will prevent arrests by ICE at courthouses.
While mass enforcement actions have not occurred in Santa Clara County, the region is identified by the Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) as one of the most affected areas for targeted ICE operations. SIREN, part of the Rapid Response Network of Santa Clara County, documents ICE activity, issues alerts to residents, and provides free emergency legal support for immigrants. Between the start of 2025 and June 2026, 232 Santa Clara County residents were detained by federal immigration agents.
The new laws also address how ICE agents have operated, particularly concerning the use of force. Since 2025, federal immigration officers have shot at least 23 people and killed six during immigration enforcement operations, including three U.S. citizens. Assemblymember Lee also highlighted California's effort to protect residents by banning the use of electric shock gloves by law enforcement.
Two of the largest private prison companies, CoreCivic and The GeoGroup, operate the majority of ICE detention centers in California. CoreCivic manages the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego County (nearly 2,000 beds) and the California City Detention Facility in Kern County (2,560 beds). The GeoGroup oversees five facilities in the state: the Adelanto ICE Processing Center (1,940 beds) and Desert View Annex (750 beds) in San Bernardino County, and the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center (400 beds), Central Valley Annex (700 beds), and Golden State Annex (700 beds), all located in Kern County.
One bill, Assembly Bill 2465, spearheaded by Assemblymember Lee, was vetoed. This bill would have prevented ICE contractors from receiving government grants or loans.
