SACRAMENTO – California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 495 on Sunday, October 13, 2025, expanding the range of eligible caregivers who can step in for children if their parents are detained or deported, a measure aimed at protecting families caught in the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown. The law, effective January 1, 2026, allows parents to designate not just immediate family but also extended relatives, godparents, or trusted community members as temporary guardians, while barring daycare providers from collecting immigration status information.
Newsom, in a statement, emphasized the bill’s role in safeguarding privacy and parental rights. “We are putting on record that we stand by our families and their right to keep their private information safe, maintain parental rights and help families prepare in case of emergencies,” he said. The legislation responds to Operation Secure Horizon, which has deported over 350,000 immigrants nationwide this fiscal year, including thousands in California. It also streamlines family court nominations for temporary guardians, ensuring decisions remain under judicial oversight.
Proponents, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), hailed it as a lifeline for mixed-status households. “This gives parents facing ICE raids the power to choose who cares for their kids—preventing foster care separations,” said CHIRLA’s Angelica Salas, who urged Newsom last week to ignore “lies” about the bill enabling child trafficking. Child advocates note it addresses a gap: In 2024, over 5,000 California children entered foster care due to parental detentions, per state data.
The signing provoked a conservative backlash. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called it “a green light for sanctuary chaos,” while national GOP figures accused Newsom of defying federal authority. Newsom, a moderate on custody issues—he vetoed a 2023 gender transition bill—quietly addressed misconceptions, clarifying the law doesn’t alter custody determinations.
This is one of several anti-deportation measures Newsom enacted, including bans on masked ICE agents and warrant requirements for schools. As Trump’s raids intensify, California’s defiance underscores state-federal rifts. With midterms looming, the bill could rally immigrant voters—or fuel Republican attacks on “open borders.”
