Gavin Newsom Signs Law Protecting Immigration Service Providers

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624, also known as the Stop Nick Shirley Act, which expands privacy protections for nonprofit employees who assist individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system. Effective October 1, 2027, the law extends the state's Safe at Home program to these workers and establishes strict penalties for those who distribute personal information or images to incite violence or threats, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment.

Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, the bill's author, argued that the legislation is necessary because service providers are facing harassment from extremists. She stated that immigrant service providers are living in fear because of extremists looking to demonize their work and the populations they serve.

Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio and independent journalist Nick Shirley have criticized the law, claiming it is designed to intimidate those investigating fraud and misconduct within immigrant service nonprofits. They argue the legislation may violate the First Amendment and chill investigative journalism.