California bill would block immigration agents near polling sites

SACRAMENTO, California — Two California lawmakers introduced legislation late Thursday that would ban federal immigration enforcement outside polling places, the latest maneuver in the state’s ongoing battles with the Trump administration over both immigration and elections administration.

The proposal comes after the Trump administration this month declined to rule out the possibility of deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents near polling sites during the midterm elections.

State Sen. Tom Umberg said the measure is designed to block any interference from ICE officers at the polls in November. It follows the lead of Democratic senators in Washington, including California Sen. Adam Schiff, who have raised alarms over the possibility.

“Our state is facing serious threats from the Trump administration, and we will not treat them as idle or hypothetical,” Umberg said in a prepared statement. “California has both the constitutional right and responsibility to run our own safe and secure elections, and we intend to do exactly that.”


https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/20/california-bill-would-block-immigration-agents-near-polling-sites-00790490