California Education Chief Tony Thurmond Vows to Abolish ICE

Thurmond, running for governor, says it's time to rework the immigration agency and focus on border control.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:38pm

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A solitary figure of a politician standing alone in a dimly lit government office, with warm sunlight casting dramatic shadows across the room, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of public office.Thurmond's campaign for governor aims to bring a new vision for California's education and immigration policies.Los Angeles Today

Tony Thurmond, California's state education chief and a candidate for governor, says he is still in the race to win as the only African American candidate. Thurmond discussed his plans to increase school funding, provide more teacher housing and professional development, and abolish ICE in favor of a new border control agency.

Why it matters

Thurmond's positions on education and immigration policy as a gubernatorial candidate provide insight into the priorities of a potential future California governor, particularly as the state's only African American candidate in the race.

The details

Thurmond said that when it comes to schools in California, it's time to fund them more and give teachers and staff more professional development. He also said teachers need better pay and that's why he's been working on building 2 million housing units specifically for educators. On immigration, Thurmond said it's time to abolish ICE and instead 'build out a function for supporting border control' without the agency's current lack of control and leadership.

  • Thurmond has been working on teacher housing for the last decade.

The players

Tony Thurmond

California's state education chief and a candidate for governor, who says he is still in the race to win as the only African American candidate.

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What they’re saying

“I have been in five races where I was the underdog, and in each of those five races I won.”

— Tony Thurmond, California Education Chief and Gubernatorial Candidate

“They need better pay. Many of them are traveling long distances to get to work. That's why I have been working on teacher housing probably for the last decade, and right now we're working on building 2 million housing units, specifically for educators who have to travel far to get to work, they can't afford to live where they work.”

— Tony Thurmond, California Education Chief and Gubernatorial Candidate

“We have to have, you know, some policies around immigration, but we don't have to have mass individuals who kill citizens who are speaking out against their policies. We don't need people dragging children in the streets or their moms in the street. I promise you, there's nothing in the Constitution that envisioned what we were seeing. We're seeing an agency that is without control and without leadership, and it's time to rework it.”

— Tony Thurmond, California Education Chief and Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

Thurmond will continue campaigning for the California gubernatorial race, with a focus on his education and immigration policy platforms.

The takeaway

As the only African American candidate in the California gubernatorial race, Thurmond's progressive positions on issues like education funding, teacher housing, and immigration reform provide a distinct contrast to other candidates and could resonate with voters seeking change.