Governor Newsom: California Will Challenge ICE Detentions Through Courts and Peaceful Protest

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly addressed recent federal immigration enforcement actions, emphasizing the state's reliance on the judicial system and the U.S. Constitution to challenge what he described as "wrongful detentions" by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a recent statement, Governor Newsom articulated the state's position, asserting that California must not remain "complicit" or "silent" in the face of federal operations that he views as overreaching. "We rely on the court system. We rely on the Constitution of the United States of America," Newsom stated, underscoring the legal framework guiding the state's response. The Governor advocated for a strategy of peaceful protest and legal action as the appropriate means to effect change and ensure accountability. "If we're going to protest, we do it peacefully. That's how you make things change," he affirmed, cautioning against violence. This stance follows recent legal challenges initiated by State Attorney General Rob Bonta, including efforts to block the federalization of the National Guard in connection with ICE raids. Newsom's message urges Californians to utilize constitutional avenues—including courts, nonviolent demonstrations, and legislative reform—to challenge federal enforcement actions and uphold democratic norms.