California · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on immigration?
- Xavier BecerraDemocrat
- Steve HiltonRepublican
Part of the full California Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Immigration
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Xavier Becerra
Supports California's sanctuary law, which he defended in court as attorney general; says the state cannot stop federal ICE operations but can limit its cooperation and challenge them in court.
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- Past actionJune 15, 2020
As attorney general, defended SB 54, California's 2017 sanctuary law limiting state and local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, against the federal government's lawsuit, United States v. California. A federal district court (2018) and the Ninth Circuit (2019) ruled against the federal government, and on June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the federal government's petition for review. 2 sourcesAttorney General Becerra: Supreme Court Maintains Constitutional Restraints on Federal Overreach in Declining to Review Appellate Court Holding in USA v. CA (opens in a new tab)California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · June 15, 2020 · GovernmentWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Told Times of San Diego in October 2026 that the state cannot stop federal ICE operations on its own but can decide how much state agencies cooperate, and that he would continue the approach he took as attorney general; he added that California can challenge immigration operations in court when state officials believe they violate constitutional protections. In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate he said he does not support ICE raids and actions that separate children from their parents. 2 sourcesXavier Becerra: A campaign focused on the cost of living and Donald Trump (opens in a new tab)Times of San Diego · Oct. 12, 2026 · NewsBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Past actionJune 15, 2020
As attorney general, defended SB 54, California's 2017 sanctuary law limiting state and local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, against the federal government's lawsuit, United States v. California. A federal district court (2018) and the Ninth Circuit (2019) ruled against the federal government, and on June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the federal government's petition for review. 2 sourcesAttorney General Becerra: Supreme Court Maintains Constitutional Restraints on Federal Overreach in Declining to Review Appellate Court Holding in USA v. CA (opens in a new tab)California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · June 15, 2020 · GovernmentWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 2026
Told Times of San Diego in October 2026 that the state cannot stop federal ICE operations on its own but can decide how much state agencies cooperate, and that he would continue the approach he took as attorney general; he added that California can challenge immigration operations in court when state officials believe they violate constitutional protections. In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate he said he does not support ICE raids and actions that separate children from their parents. 2 sourcesXavier Becerra: A campaign focused on the cost of living and Donald Trump (opens in a new tab)Times of San Diego · Oct. 12, 2026 · NewsBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Has proposed overturning California's sanctuary law; in the September 2026 debate he said he would follow it and prioritize removing undocumented immigrants who commit dangerous crimes.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposal2026
Wants to overturn California's sanctuary law, which limits police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate, said he would follow California's sanctuary state law and prioritize removing undocumented immigrants who have committed dangerous crimes; CalMatters reported he did not say whether he would seek to undo the law, saying he would prefer to "turn down the temperature" on that debate. 2 sourcesHilton, Becerra clash over affordability, Trump and Newsom in California governor debate (opens in a new tab)KMPH FOX26 · Sept. 30, 2026 · NewsIn Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Wants to overturn California's sanctuary law, which limits police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate, said he would follow California's sanctuary state law and prioritize removing undocumented immigrants who have committed dangerous crimes; CalMatters reported he did not say whether he would seek to undo the law, saying he would prefer to "turn down the temperature" on that debate. 2 sourcesHilton, Becerra clash over affordability, Trump and Newsom in California governor debate (opens in a new tab)KMPH FOX26 · Sept. 30, 2026 · NewsIn Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Recorded votes on immigration
Selected votes
Xavier Becerra
DREAM Act, as a House amendment to the Removal Clarification Act of 2010 (H.R. 5281, 111th Congress)
ImmigrationWould have allowed certain undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before age 16, had been in the country continuously for at least five years and were under 30 to obtain conditional status, with a path to permanent residence and citizenship through college or military service.
Passed the House 216–198 on Dec. 8, 2010; on Dec. 18, 2010, the Senate rejected a motion to invoke cloture on concurring in the House amendment, 55–41 (three-fifths required).
4 sourcesRoll Call 625: H.R. 5281, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments #1 and #2, and in #3 With Amendment (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Dec. 8, 2010 · Legislative recordUnauthorized Alien Students: Issues and "DREAM Act" Legislation (RL33863) (opens in a new tab)Congressional Research Service, via EveryCRSReport.com · Jan. 20, 2015 · GovernmentDREAM Act Fades, Supporters Ponder Next Move (opens in a new tab)NPR · Dec. 9, 2010 · NewsRoll Call Vote 111th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 278: On the Cloture Motion H.R. 5281 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Dec. 18, 2010 · Legislative recordVoted yesU.S. House · Dec. 8, 2010
On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments #1 and #2, and in #3 With Amendment
House roll call 625, 2010 (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call 625: H.R. 5281, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments #1 and #2, and in #3 With Amendment (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Dec. 8, 2010 · Legislative record
Steve Hilton
No legislative record
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