Full Breakdown
Nick Shirley Sues California Over “Stop Nick Shirley Act”
9/8/2026, 1:42:13 AM
Lawsuit Targets California’s Immigration-Support Privacy Law
Conservative commentator Nicholas “Nick” Shirley filed a federal complaint in the Eastern District of California alleging that Assembly Bill 2624, enacted in 2026 and set to take effect on October 1, 2027, violates his First-Amendment rights. The bill—officially titled the “Safe at Work Act” and dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act”—creates a civil-penalty regime that bars the publication of personal information about providers of immigration-support services and permits those providers to sue for damages.
Legislative Background
Assemblymember Mia Bonta introduced AB 2624 in February 2026 after Shirley’s videos alleged fraud in immigration-related programs. Proponents framed the measure as an extension of California’s “Safe at Home” confidentiality program, which originally protected victims of domestic violence and later expanded to other vulnerable groups. The bill passed the Legislature and was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 26, 2026.
Timeline of Key Developments
- February 2026 – Mia Bonta introduces AB 2624.
- April 21, 2026 – Bonta testifies that the legislation “is very clear.”
- August 26, 2026 – Governor Newsom signs the bill.
- September 4, 2026 – Media report on the law’s passage.
- October 1, 2027 – AB 2624 becomes operative, criminalizing the solicitation, sale, or trade of personal data on immigration-support providers.
- September 2026 – Shirley files the lawsuit, seeking declaratory relief and an injunction.
Core Provisions and Numbers
- The law adds immigration-support service providers to the state’s “Safe at Home” roster, extending privacy protections to their names and addresses.
- It creates a civil cause of action for anyone who publishes “personal information” about a covered provider, allowing damages to be awarded to the provider.
- Critics note that CHIRLA, a nonprofit that has received more than $80 million in state funds, co-sponsored the bill.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Newsom’s office praised the law’s focus on safeguarding vulnerable workers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit. America First Legal, representing Shirley, argues the law imposes “content-based and viewpoint-discriminatory restrictions” that are “unconstitutionally overbroad and vague.”
Criticism & Opposition
Republican lawmakers contend AB 2624 curtails journalistic scrutiny of publicly funded immigration programs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Naming: The legislation is referred to both as the “Safe at Work Act” and the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” reflecting divergent framing.
- Impact Assessment: No empirical data have been provided on how the law will affect future investigations, leaving practical consequences uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In a world where we all want more transparency and not less, it is more critical than ever that we do not just sit back and do nothing,” — Nick Shirley
- “Nick Shirley is an American patriot. He has been exposing fraud that too many people have tolerated or facilitated for decades,” — Gene Hamilton, first legal president
- “It is very clear in the legislation,” — Mia Bonta
- “This law will prohibit what an individual or journalist will be able to film and publish when it comes to immigration support service providers,” — Nick Shirley
