Newsom signs Reyes bill limiting courthouse-area arrests

Newsom approves courthouse measure

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed state Sen. Eloise Reyes’ bill placing restrictions on immigration arrests near California courthouses. Newsom’s signature completes the state’s legislative approval process and turns the measure into law.

The law addresses the location of immigration enforcement activity rather than setting a statewide immigration policy. Its focus is arrests near courthouses, where people may be attending hearings, handling legal matters or participating in court proceedings.

Reyes carried the proposal through the Legislature before it reached Newsom. The measure was enacted through the legislative process, not through a statewide ballot question, and it is not directly connected to a candidate race or election.

What the law changes

The enacted measure creates state restrictions governing immigration arrests in areas near California courthouses. The law’s official text controls the precise geographic boundaries, definitions, exceptions and responsibilities established by the measure.

Implementation will determine how the restrictions operate at courthouses across California. Court administrators, law enforcement agencies, attorneys and members of the public can use the final legislative record to understand where the rules apply and how they affect courthouse activity.

The next steps include publication of the enacted law in California’s official legislative records and any implementation guidance issued by responsible state or local institutions. Those records will also establish the law’s effective date and the procedures used to apply its restrictions.