Swalwell's Anti-ICE Campaign Clashes With Past Endorsement of Sheriff Tied to Agency

Rep. Eric Swalwell's push to keep federal immigration agents out of California conflicts with his previous support for an Alameda County sheriff who cooperated extensively with ICE.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:10pm

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A conceptual illustration featuring overlapping, fragmented geometric shapes in shades of blue, grey, and black, representing the complex and shifting nature of Swalwell's record on ICE and immigration enforcement.Swalwell's shifting stance on ICE enforcement exposes the political complexities of immigration policy.Alameda Today

As Rep. Eric Swalwell makes keeping federal immigration agents out of California a key part of his campaign for governor, the Castro Valley Democrat is facing scrutiny for his past votes supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as his endorsement of a former Republican Alameda County sheriff who closely worked with the agency.

Why it matters

Swalwell's record on immigration and ICE has become a key issue in the crowded Democratic primary for California governor, with his opponents criticizing his past support for the agency and his endorsement of a sheriff who cooperated extensively with ICE. This clash between Swalwell's current anti-ICE rhetoric and his previous actions highlights the political challenges he faces in trying to reposition himself on this issue.

The details

Swalwell, a former Alameda County prosecutor, has built a reputation in Congress as a vocal critic of former President Trump and his immigration policies. However, a review of his record shows he has previously voted to express 'gratitude to law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, for protecting the homeland.' He also endorsed former Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern, whose office shared information with ICE nearly 1,000 times in 2017 and detained 386 inmates for the agency after their release - an all-time high. Ahern faced fierce criticism during the Trump administration for his office's close cooperation with ICE.

  • In 2017, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shared information with ICE nearly 1,000 times and detained 386 inmates for the agency after their release.
  • In 2022, Swalwell endorsed Ahern's failed reelection bid for Alameda County Sheriff.

The players

Rep. Eric Swalwell

A Castro Valley Democrat running for California governor who has made keeping federal immigration agents out of the state a key part of his campaign, despite his past votes supporting ICE and endorsement of a sheriff who cooperated extensively with the agency.

Greg Ahern

The former Republican Alameda County sheriff who faced criticism for his office's close cooperation with ICE, including sharing information with the agency nearly 1,000 times in 2017 and detaining 386 inmates for ICE after their release.

Yessenia Sanchez

The current Alameda County sheriff who unseated Ahern in 2022 and has pledged to limit the office's cooperation with ICE to only when there is a criminal warrant signed by a judge.

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What they’re saying

“For years, Swalwell backed the very policies that empowered ICE, and now he's running ads trying to condemn it to cover his tracks. You don't get to rewrite your record when it becomes inconvenient.”

— Raquel Robinson, Spokesperson for former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

“It seems like it's more an endorsement based on personal history rather than policy.”

— Steven Maviglio, Democratic political consultant

What’s next

Swalwell's opponents are expected to continue criticizing his record on immigration and ICE cooperation as the Democratic primary race for California governor heats up. The congressman will likely need to address this issue head-on and explain how his views have evolved over time.

The takeaway

Swalwell's past support for ICE and a sheriff who closely cooperated with the agency creates a political challenge as he tries to position himself as a staunch opponent of federal immigration enforcement in his campaign for California governor. This clash between his current rhetoric and previous actions highlights the difficulty politicians can face in trying to rewrite their records on controversial issues.