Backlash is rising after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a brand new legislation that critics declare would block individuals from investigating fraud in immigration companies — with congressional Republicans now calling on the Justice Division to intervene.
Newsom, a Democrat, signed the controversial legislation final week, prompting critics to accuse the governor of attempting to defend individuals accused of fraud from public scrutiny.
Now, eight members of Congress are demanding that US Legal professional Basic Todd Blanche examine the measure and take authorized motion to cease it from taking impact.
In a letter first shared with The California Submit, the lawmakers, led by California Rep. James Gallagher, mentioned the legislation may intervene with efforts to reveal alleged fraud.
“The necessary work of uncovering and addressing fraud is simply starting, and but California Democrats and Governor Newsom are taking brazen and probably unconstitutional steps to impede it,” the letter learn.
Gallagher was joined by California Reps. Vince Fong, Younger Kim and Tom McClintock. Rep. August Pfluger, chairman of the Republican Research Committee, additionally backed the letter.
Republicans have dubbed the measure the “Cease Nick Shirley Act” — a reference to the YouTuber who has made a reputation for himself confronting immigrant companies suppliers over alleged fraud and posting the encounters on-line.
The legislation, which takes impact in October 2027, prohibits individuals from posting pictures or private details about an immigrant companies supplier on-line when it’s finished for functions of harassment or violence.
The measure additionally permits an immigrant companies supplier to sue in court docket and search not less than $4,000 in damages from somebody who violates the legislation.
However critics say the laws goes far past defending individuals from threats — arguing it may have a chilling impact on these attempting to reveal alleged wrongdoing.
They’ve additionally questioned whether or not the legislation was crafted with Shirley in thoughts after his viral movies spotlighted alleged fraud involving immigrant companies suppliers.
“Nick Shirley’s reporting raised critical questions on alleged fraud. As an alternative of creating it simpler to analyze these allegations, Newsom signed a legislation that creates new authorized dangers round reporting and publishing details about the individuals concerned. That’s precisely backwards,” mentioned Fong in a press release shared to The Submit.
“That is basic Sacramento. As an alternative of going after fraud and demanding solutions about the place taxpayer {dollars} are going, they cross a legislation that would make it more durable for individuals to reveal it,” Gallagher mentioned. “That’s utterly backwards. Californians need to know the place their cash goes, and journalists ought to have the ability to observe the information with out Sacramento getting in the way in which.”
Within the letter, the congressmembers identified that President Donald Trump’s administration has made tackling fraud a precedence and argued that preventing California’s legislation is part of that mission.
“We should shut each loophole exploited by fraudsters and supported by Governor Newsom,” the letter mentioned.
The Submit reached out to the Division of Justice for touch upon whether or not it could act on the request.
Shirley and state Republicans are additionally contemplating challenges of their very own, they mentioned Wednesday at a Sacramento rally. The Youtuber hinted at the opportunity of testing the legislation, with allies promising to sue if the legislation is used to prosecute Shirley and others like him.
“We pledge to defend each single one in all you, and everybody like Nick, who’s challenged in court docket from zealous prosecutors attempting to close you down,” Brad Dacus, an lawyer on the Pacific Justice Institute, mentioned. “They won’t get away with it.
Shirley and the congressmembers claimed the legislation would forestall journalistic work like Shirley’s movies and because of this, violate the First Modification for prohibiting what might be posted.
The legislation’s creator, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, insists the legislation doesn’t have an effect on journalists and mentioned she was merely attempting to spice up the privateness of employees who’re serving to the state’s immigrants.
In a video posted Thursday, she dismissed the Shirley rally for spreading “lies and outrage” towards her invoice.
“I welcome protest. I welcome a free press holding this state accountable. What I don’t welcome is violence towards individuals whose solely guilt is attempting to serve their neighbors,” Bonta mentioned.
