California Democrats Propose Wave of Bills to Limit ICE Activity

Lawmakers seek to curb federal immigration enforcement across daily life in the state

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:55pm

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California Democrats have proposed at least a dozen bills this week targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, ranging from restrictions on the use of private property and public facilities to expanded oversight and new financial penalties for private detention contractors. The legislative push follows legal battles between California and the federal government, with lawmakers saying the state legislature must act to address the "fear and disruption" caused by ICE's actions.

Why it matters

The proposed bills reflect California Democrats' determination to confront federal immigration policy through state law, despite the expectation of legal challenges and political backlash. The measures aim to limit ICE's access to everyday infrastructure and increase accountability for federal immigration agents' actions.

The details

The bills would restrict the use of hotels, warehouses and parking lots as temporary detention or staging areas for ICE, prevent rental car companies from providing vehicles for immigration enforcement operations, and require independent investigations whenever a civilian is shot by a federal immigration agent. Lawmakers are also proposing new tax measures targeting the private companies that operate immigration detention facilities under federal contracts.

  • The legislative push follows legal battles between California and the federal government that have resulted in more than 50 lawsuits filed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta against the Trump administration.
  • On Monday, Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas denounced federal immigration enforcement actions at a rally of Democratic senators and assembly members.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who has filed more than 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California who has filed more than 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.

Rick Chavez Zbur

A Democratic Assemblymember from Hollywood who said the state legislature must act to address the "fear and disruption" caused by ICE's actions.

Monique Limón

The Senate President Pro Tem who said lawmakers refuse to 'normalize what is happening in this country' regarding federal immigration enforcement.

Robert Rivas

The Assembly Speaker who accused ICE of engaging in 'out-of-control illegal violence' and vowed legislative action to protect Californians.

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What they’re saying

“It's causing fear and disruption to people's daily lives, and so people are expecting us to really fight back.”

— Rick Chavez Zbur, Assemblymember

“We refuse to normalize what is happening in this country.”

— Monique Limón, Senate President Pro Tem

“ICE is engaging in 'out-of-control illegal violence', and we will take legislative action to protect Californians.”

— Robert Rivas, Assembly Speaker

What’s next

The proposed bills must now go through the legislative process in the California State Assembly and Senate before potentially being signed into law by Governor Newsom.

The takeaway

California Democrats are taking aggressive legislative action to limit the reach of ICE in the state, reflecting the party's determination to confront federal immigration policy at the state level despite the expectation of legal challenges. The measures aim to address the 'fear and disruption' caused by ICE's activities and increase accountability for federal immigration agents' actions.