Just months after California was rocked by violent anti-ICE riots, California Governor Gavin Newsom claims that his state “cooperates” with federal immigration authorities.
Newsom made the statement during an interview with The Daily Wire&#8217;s Ben Shapiro, who pressed him on California’s sanctuary state status and his history of anti-ICE rhetoric. Most recently, Newsom’s press office <a href="https://x.com/GovPressOffice/status/2009067671124627833">suggested</a> that the shooting of a woman driving her car toward an ICE agent in Minneapolis was “state-sponsored terrorism.”
“We work very directly with ICE as it relates to [California prisons]. California has cooperated with more ICE transfers than probably any other state in the country. And I’ve vetoed multiple pieces of legislation that have come from my legislature to stop the ability for the state of California to do that,” Newsom said.
“ So when it comes to the issues of violent criminals, when it comes to felons, people that are being released from the largest state system in the United States of America, California cooperates with ICE,” he added.
While Newsom told Shapiro that California prisons had handed over 10,000 illegal alien felons to ICE, the data during his tenure as governor tell a different story.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GavinNewsom</a> REFUSES to tell <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@benshapiro</a> if he thinks boys can become girls:
Shapiro: &#8220;The fundamental question&#8230;is the question that you&#8217;re not wanting to answer, which is whether boys can become girls.&#8221;
Newsom: &#8220;Yeah…I think…I&#8217;m for the grace of God…Yeah.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/Lse5fNw3SY">pic.twitter.com/Lse5fNw3SY</a>
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/2011954165728047375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
<a href="https://cis.org/Vaughan/Which-Sanctuary-Jurisdictions-Have-Released-Most-Criminals">According</a> to the Center for Immigration Studies, from October 1, 2022, to February 6, 2025, 52% of all ICE detainers — requests for local law enforcement to hold illegals arrested for crimes — were in California. The total number was over 13,000, well over the next highest total of 2,946 (Illinois).
Newsom also talked tough on handing over violent offenders, but during that same time, law enforcement in his state released at least 29 illegals facing homicide charges or convictions. Additionally, local law enforcement have pointed to state sanctuary city policies for hamstringing their ability to reach out to ICE when they arrest illegal aliens for crimes.
During his interview with Shapiro, Newsom admitted that it was a “fair” criticism to knock his press office for accusing ICE of committing terrorism and criticized calls from fellow Democrats to completely abolish the agency.
Newsom’s admission came after Shapiro told him his office accusing ICE of terrorism “makes our politics worse” and “our ICE officers are obviously not terrorists.”
After the Minneapolis shooting, Newsom claimed that ICE was acting as President Donald Trump’s “personal police force” and had “rampaged” America.
“His administration has driven extremism and cruelty while discarding basic safeguards and accountability,” Newsom <a href="https://x.com/CAgovernor/status/2009049140689313876">claimed</a>. “His reckless crackdown must end.”
In September, Newsom signed legislation aimed at barring ICE officers from wearing masks while they conduct operations. The bill came as ICE officers have faced a surge in harassment, assaults, and violent threats.
That law came after Los Angeles was rocked by violent riots as law enforcement officers were attacked and vehicles were burned after ICE started conducting operations in the area. The riots prompted President Trump to send in the National Guard to protect federal operations.
Newsom <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/06/07/100856/">claimed</a> that the move was “purposefully inflammatory” and would “erode public trust.” Those riots ended up costing more than $30 million, including more than $1.4 million in property damage.

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Months After Violent Riots, Gavin Newsom Tells Ben Shapiro That ‘California Cooperates With ICE’

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Months After Violent Riots, Gavin Newsom Tells Ben Shapiro That ‘California Cooperates With ICE’