Newsom Signs Sweeping Package to Tax Detention Centers and Ban ICE Shock Gloves

Key points

• Newsom signed a ban on wearable electroshock devices, including gloves, for all law enforcement in California.
• A new 25% tax on private detention centers is expected to raise $177 million for immigration-related services.
• Bills restrict the use of state-owned facilities for immigration staging and require public hearings for new detention centers.
• Legislation makes it easier for residents to sue federal agents for civil rights violations and bans face coverings for officers.
• The measures follow reports of ICE planning to spend $20 million on shock gloves and rising in-custody deaths.

Background

This action follows months of legislative activity in California. In August 2026, lawmakers advanced Assembly Bill 2760 to ban shock gloves after the Department of Homeland Security announced a $20 million procurement plan. Earlier in September, the state moved to bar federal agents from public employment and pause shock restraint deployments. These moves occur amid a broader federal-state conflict, including a Supreme Court case regarding mass detention policies and previous federal lawsuits challenging California’s refusal to federalize National Guard personnel for immigration raids.

How outlets are covering it

Supporters, including Governor Newsom and Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, argue the laws are necessary to ensure transparency and protect communities from 'Orwellian' tactics, citing safety concerns and lack of accountability. The Los Angeles Times highlights the 'No Kings Act' as a tool to end impunity for agents. Conversely, the U.S. Department of Justice and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli argue California lacks jurisdiction over federal officers, calling the laws unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause. Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper and other law enforcement groups oppose the shock glove ban, stating it removes a vital non-lethal option and hinders de-escalation. Legal experts like Kevin Johnson note that courts will likely rule the state cannot dictate federal equipment, despite the state’s intent to regulate conduct within its borders.

Why it matters

The legislation represents a significant escalation in the legal and political battle between California and the federal government over immigration enforcement. By imposing taxes and operational restrictions, California attempts to leverage its economic and legal authority to counter federal policies it deems excessive. The outcome will test the limits of state power against federal supremacy, potentially setting precedents for how states can regulate federal agencies operating within their borders. It also directly impacts the financial viability of private detention companies like GEO Group and CoreCivic, which operate many facilities in the state.

What to watch

The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to challenge the new laws in federal court, arguing they violate the Supremacy Clause. Newsom has until September 30 to sign or veto remaining bills, including the 'Get the Feds Out' measure, though some may be vetoed or left pending. The 25% tax on detention centers will take effect, potentially straining the budgets of private operators. Public hearings for new detention facilities will now require a 180-day waiting period, slowing expansion. Federal agents may defy the face-covering and shock glove bans, leading to further legal disputes and potential conflicts between state and federal authorities.