California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said in a news release published Oct. 31 that the state is expanding legal help for immigrants, including people in ICE detention. The 2026-27 state budget provides $193 million to support families with immigration-related services, according to the release.
The office said more than half a million Californians have been reached through state-funded immigration-related legal services and regional community support efforts. It said the services help families, workers and business owners understand their rights and find trusted resources as federal immigration enforcement intensifies in some regions.
The office said the budget money supports regional immigration services and more than doubles support for immigration-related legal services. The focus is on building the capacity of nonprofit legal providers and on helping Californians in ICE detention. The state’s regional strategy funds local coordination through what it calls Regional Hubs, which link community messengers and service providers with state-funded legal help.
The office listed several new or expanded efforts. They include a pilot program called “attorney of the day” to improve access to legal representation in immigration court, and immigration fellows to add legal capacity in rural, underserved areas. The budget also pays for services for children.
Another pilot is meant to give more people qualified legal support when facing detention and deportation. It would expand nonprofit legal capacity by using private immigration attorneys when nonprofits are at capacity.
The office also announced a new investment in free legal help for farmworkers and their families. It said the initiative will partner with the outreach partners of the state Labor & Workforce Development Agency. The release did not say how much of the $193 million goes to the farmworker effort, and it did not give start dates for the pilots.
“California will not turn its back on immigrant families,” Newsom said in the release.
The release also quoted legislative leaders. Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón, a Democrat from Santa Barbara, said the Senate has passed dozens of bills, including the No Kings Act, to hold immigration agencies accountable. Senator Lena Gonzalez, chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, said the caucus worked with the governor and legislative leaders to secure more than $100 million for legal aid and other immigration resources.
The release said Newsom recently signed a package of bills on immigration detention, enforcement transparency, civil rights, state facilities, public records, family services and oversight of civil detention facilities. It did not name the bills.
The release included general guidance for residents. It said people can stay silent and ask for a lawyer, and generally do not have to let immigration agents into a home without a warrant signed by a judge. It also urged families to make an emergency plan.
Californians who witness what they believe is unlawful conduct by federal agents can submit information, photos and video to the California Department of Justice through an online reporting portal, the release said. The release did not include a response from federal officials.
The governor’s office said that since 2019, Newsom and the Legislature have helped Californians through a network of nonprofit legal service providers. It said initiatives for children and farmworkers have been added over the years.