Nick Shirley sues California over law shielding information of immigration support workers
The lawsuit says AB 2624 chills investigative reporting and could trigger civil liability for publishing lawfully obtained information.
- On Friday, independent journalist Nick Shirley sued California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber over Assembly Bill 2624, known as the "Stop Nick Shirley Act," alleging the law violates his First Amendment rights.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation last month, adding immigration support service providers to California's Safe at Home program, which allows confidential addresses in public records upon written demand.
- Shirley alleges the statute creates a "credible and objectively reasonable threat" of enforcement, with a written demand triggering potential $4,000 fines for publishing information targeting nonprofits like CHIRLA, which receives more than $80 million in state funding.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office stated it will respond in court, while supporters argue the legislation protects providers from threats; Bonta previously called fraud accusations "reckless and ridiculous."
- Scheduled to take effect October 1, 2027, the law remains the focus of Shirley's legal challenge as he seeks a permanent injunction to prevent enforcement, arguing the state violates his First and 14th Amendment rights.
28 Articles
28 Articles
The Economic Times
Times of India‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’: Investigative journalist sues Newsom’s California over free speech rights
Nick Shirley sues California over the controversial “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” launching a major First Amendment fight with Gavin Newsom’s administration. The investigative journalist argues AB 2624 could restrict his reporting on immigration-service organizations and claims the law violates his free speech rights. The lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber puts Nick Shirley, Gavin Newsom and the…
Shirley, who has posted videos following immigrant workers and reporting alleged frauds in California and Minnesota, argues that the law was born after she "exposed widespread fraud in immigrant communities" in both states.
Nick Shirley Challenges California Effort to Restrict Journalists’ Free Speech
Internewscast Internewscast Critics have started calling it “The Stop Nick Shirley Act,” though many… This Post: Nick Shirley Challenges California Effort to Restrict Journalists’ Free Speech first appeared on Internewscast
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