California ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ backed by migrant group tied to anti-ICE riots

Activists tied to last summer’s anti-deportation riots in California successfully lobbied for a new state law advertised as protecting nonprofit groups from threats or harassment. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed Assembly Bill 2624 on Saturday, allowing immigration services groups’ addresses to be shielded from public r

The “Stop Nick Shirley Act” is California’s latest assault on the First Amendment. Of course, Gavin Newsom, Mia Bonta, and the Democrats describe AB 2624 as a way to protect the “privacy” of “immigration support service providers.” The media have largely played along, describing the bill as a way to protect immigrants.

August 23, 2026 12:03 PM ET California just handed immigration nonprofit workers a shield that critics say doubles as a muzzle for the reporters chasing them.Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2624 on Aug. 22, adding immigration support workers to the state program that hides the home addresses of people deemed at risk, accor

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed California’s controversial “Stop Nick Shirley Act” into law Saturday, which critics say will suppress investigative journalism in the state.