Republicans Assail California Bill They Say Would Criminalize Immigrant Fraud Investigations

Republicans are sounding the alarm over a California bill designed to protect providers of support services for immigrants, warning it would criminalize undercover journalism like that of viral fraud-buster Nick Shirley.The measure, AB 2624, passed California’s Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee 11 to 2 last week and heads next to the state’s judiciary committee. The bill would bolster privacy protections for immigration service providers by barring individuals from posting online — for purposes of harassment or incitement to violence — the personal information or identifying images of such providers.Under the bill, immigration services employees could sue anyone who violates the ban and seek up to $4,000 in damages. Criminal penalties would include a fine of up to $10,000 or one year in county jail. If the violation results in bodily harm, violators could face a $50,000 fine and felony imprisonment.“Individuals who provide immigrant support services including legal aid, humanitarian relief, case management, and advocacy are facing targeted harassment. This is not hypothetical,” the bill’s author, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, a Democrat, said at an April 7 hearing.A fellow California assemblymember, Carl DeMaio, a Republican, arguesin a press release that the measure would “silence citizen journalists and shield taxpayer-funded organizations from public scrutiny.” Pointing to Mr. Shirley’s work uncovering the Somali fraud scandal that rocked Minnesota, Mr. DeMaio dubbed the bill the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” claiming it would have protected those fraudulent daycare centers had they operated in California. “Instead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, Sacramento politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them,” he said.Mr. Shirley, a 23-year-old conservative YouTuber, published on-the-ground videos in December 2025 alleging rampant fraud in childcare and healthcare programs tied to the Somali community in Minnesota. Federal prosecutors later confirmed a widespread fraud scheme in the state estimated to run into the billions of dollars. Amid the ensuing controversy, Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, abandoned his reelection campaign.Mr. Shirley has joined the opposition to the California measure, stating on X: “The enemy truly is within,” and warning that “When our politicians would rather protect fraudsters and illegal migrants, it’s time for us to stand up or face mass oppression from the traitors who ‘rule’ over us.” Ms. Bonta pushed back, arguing in her own post that the bill “doesn’t stop journalism or fraud investigations; it stops bad-faith actors from doxxing workers serving immigrants with proven intent to threaten or incite violence.” She added: “Doxxing isn’t journalism.”Other critics of the bill point to Ms. Bonta’s husband, Attorney General Rob Bonta, who they say was too slow to announce charges last week against 21 suspects in connection with a $267 million hospice fraud scheme. Mr. Shirley responded to the report on social media, calling it “literally INSANE.”Ms. Bonta has not responded to a request from The New York Sun for comment regarding her husband’s activities.The bill still requires approval from the full California Assembly, the Senate, and the governor before it can become law.

Republicans Assail California Bill They Say Would Criminalize Immigrant Fraud Investigations

Republicans Assail California Bill They Say Would Criminalize Immigrant Fraud Investigations

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