Tom Steyer Unveils Far-Reaching Anti-ICE Platform for California Governor Race Hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, has introduced a bold and controversial immigration platform aiming to dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the state. The plan proposes significant state-level interventions against federal immigration law and enforcement, sparking debate over state and federal authority. Tom Steyer, who has emerged as a top-polling Democrat in the race for California governor, has presented a strikingly progressive and, according to critics, radical immigration platform. His campaign, aiming for the state's highest office, has focused on an open-door approach to immigration and a strong stance against the federal agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Steyer's pledges, released on Tuesday, constitute a five-point plan that is notably more left-wing than even the policies of the current, often-labeled as liberal, governor. His proposals include radical measures such as nullifying federal immigration laws within California, prosecuting federal immigration law enforcement officers, and facilitating the return of deported individuals to the United States. Central to Steyer's immigration agenda is the complete abolition of ICE in California. Furthermore, he intends to pursue legal action against ICE agents and their superiors, whom he accuses of breaking his envisioned regulations. Steyer also asserts that as governor, he would possess the authority to travel to foreign nations, locate individuals who have been deported, and arrange for their return to the U.S. Steyer articulated his vision by stating, "Each point builds on one another to create a comprehensive strategy that gives the State of California the power it needs to take on ICE and win." His initial proposal targets what he describes as ICE's use of racial profiling in apprehending and deporting undocumented migrants, arguing that such practices violate California statutes prohibiting law enforcement agencies from profiling individuals based on race. He has pledged to enforce these state laws against federal immigration officers. In his second policy point, Steyer committed to empowering the state's Attorney General to hold ICE leadership accountable for alleged acts of violence. He specifically mentioned pursuing "supervisory liability," a legal concept that, he claims, would enable the California justice system to criminally prosecute and imprison not only individual ICE agents involved in alleged offenses but also their directing leadership. This assertion, however, does not elaborate on how state law could supersede federal authority in such matters. His third pledge involves establishing a specialized division within the state Attorney General's office dedicated to gathering evidence that would support the prosecution of federal immigration officers, again without addressing the complex issues of federal supremacy. Subsequently, Steyer expressed his belief that a state governor has the power to overturn federal deportation orders. He has declared his intention to utilize state funds to dispatch representatives to foreign countries to facilitate the return of deported individuals to California, stating, "I will bring those detained and kidnapped by ICE back home," and pledging to "assist and help those who have been imprisoned without due process." Finally, Steyer's platform includes a commitment to allocate increased state tax dollars towards training undocumented immigrants on their rights. This initiative aims to equip them to challenge actions taken against them for violating U.S. immigration laws. He announced, "I will launch a massive statewide ‘Know Your Rights’ public education and public awareness campaign." He elaborated, "Every Californian, regardless of their immigration status, should know their constitutional and legal rights if you are stopped, detained, or questioned by ICE agents, if you are assembled to protest against ICE, if you are filming ICE agent activities, or if you witness unlawful and illegal actions perpetrated by ICE agents." Steyer maintained that there is a "solid legal foundation for California to expand these protections and prosecute ICE agents for breaking the law." He further insisted, "California should take matters into our own hands. California can extend these legal protections to its residents, despite the federal government’s failure." He then emphasized, "Extending these protections is a major step forward. It targets the linchpin that holds together the entire ICE machine: their ability to weaponize their authority as federal agents to engage in racial profiling and racial violence." Steyer provocatively stated, "Trump has turned ICE into a criminal enterprise, so let’s treat it as such." He declared, "As governor, I’ll go after ICE the way Eliot Ness and Joe Friday went after the Mob: bring them to justice by using their most basic crimes against them. For the Mob it was racketeering; for ICE it’s racial discrimination." Concluding his remarks, Steyer asserted, "On my watch, California will protect the most vulnerable and bring to justice those who break the law and brutalize our neighbors. We’ll let ICE know: in California, you obey our laws and respect our residents, or you go to jail." Steyer defended his controversial announcement following a widely circulated reaction from Elon Musk on X, who posted "Wow" in response to the radical policy suggestions. Steyer replied, "'Wow' is right. ICE is a criminal organization. As governor, I’ll prosecute them like one," labeling himself an "extremist Democrat" in the process