Republican Sheriff Vows to Support 'Path to Citizenship' for Illegal Immigrants in California

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco says he would work with other governors to push for citizenship for undocumented immigrants if elected California governor.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, is vowing to support a 'path to citizenship' for millions of illegal immigrants in the United States if elected governor of California. Bianco said he would lobby President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to pass such an amnesty, as long as the immigrants have not been convicted of a crime.

Why it matters

Bianco's stance on immigration represents a shift from traditional Republican positions and could impact the California governor's race. His support for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants could appeal to some Latino voters but may also alienate more conservative Republicans.

The details

In interviews, Bianco said he believes the current immigration system is 'broken' and that the government has 'allowed' the issue to continue unresolved. He said he would work with the governors of Texas and Florida, the other two largest states, to 'fix' the immigration system and provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the country, as long as they have not committed crimes. Bianco also said he would not want his deputies cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming that illegal immigrants may be less likely to report crimes if they fear deportation.

  • In a November 2025 interview, Bianco expressed his views on immigration.
  • In an April 2025 interview, Bianco reiterated his support for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

The players

Chad Bianco

The Republican sheriff of Riverside County, California, who is running for governor of the state.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whom Bianco said he would lobby to pass an amnesty for undocumented immigrants.

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What they’re saying

“The people that are coming here now, especially illegally, are coming here for free stuff. And then we are the ones that are paying for that. So the immigration system has to be fixed. We have to have a secure border, it is secure right now. But we have a major issue with people who are here illegally, some of them were here legally, they were allowed into the country legally, but they've extended how long they could stay.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff (Pastura California)

“I, as the governor of California, we will fight for a path to citizenship and I will use my influence as the greatest state and the biggest state in the country on the president and on congress and we will utilize Florida and Texas because they want the same things.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff (Pastura California)

What’s next

Bianco's stance on immigration could be a key issue in the California governor's race, and it remains to be seen how it will impact his campaign and the broader political landscape in the state.

The takeaway

Bianco's support for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants represents a shift from traditional Republican positions on immigration, and could appeal to some Latino voters in California while also potentially alienating more conservative Republicans. His stance highlights the ongoing debate over immigration reform and the role it plays in shaping state and national politics.