California and Federal Lawmakers Propose Bans on ICE Personnel

Democratic lawmakers in California and the U.S. House of Representatives introduced separate legislative measures to restrict the growth and future employment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.

Mark González, a California Assemblymember, and Speaker Robert Rivas co-introduced the 'GTFO ICE Bill,' which would disqualify ICE agents and other law enforcement personnel from future public employment in California. The bill targets individuals involved in arrests and deportations between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, barring them from becoming police officers, public school teachers, or civil servants. This proposal follows similar legislation from Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías and aligns with California's sanctuary state laws.

At the federal level, Representatives John Garamendi and Lizzie Fletcher introduced the Freeze ICE Act on February 6, 2026. This bill seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds to hire or transfer personnel into ICE positions. The move responds to a recruitment surge under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which enabled the Department of Homeland Security to hire approximately 12,000 new agents in four months.

Supporters of these measures cite concerns over civil rights violations and the militarization of immigration enforcement. Conversely, Republican State Senator Tony Strickland criticized the California efforts, arguing the legislation is driven by politics rather than policy.