Carl DeMaio Urges Department of Justice to Block California Law Protecting Immigration Nonprofit Workers from Harassment

Republican state lawmaker Carl DeMaio has requested that the federal Department of Justice block the implementation of Assembly Bill 2624. The bill, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, expands California's Safe at Home program to provide harassment protections for immigration nonprofit workers. DeMaio, who nicknamed the legislation the "Stop Nick Shirley Act," argues that the law may violate the First Amendment by punishing those who expose fraud and waste. Assemblymember Mia Bonta introduced the bill to shield workers from the vitriolic attacks and doxxing they face while serving immigrant communities. While Bonta argues the law protects workers from extremists, DeMaio claims it could intimidate journalists and observers who aim to shine light on bad behavior. The law will go into effect on October 1, 2027, allowing eligible nonprofit workers to receive substitute mailing addresses to protect their personal information from targeted threats. The bill was also noted by Senator Ashley Moody, who suggested the law could be viewed as a "Protect Fraudsters Act."

Sources

• New York Post
  Californians torch Gavin Newsom’s chilling ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ — teeing up huge clash with feds
• KQED
  Republican Lawmaker Wants DOJ to Block New Protections for Immigration Nonprofit Workers
• San Francisco Chronicle
  Newsom signs immigrant protection bill derided by GOP as the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’
• Los Angeles Times
  Newsom signs bill shielding immigrant aid workers’ home addresses
• New York Post
  Gavin Newsom signs controversial ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ into law