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AB 2624 — California privacy protections for immigration service workers Independent. Unfunded by the people we cover. That is not negotiable. Ask why. From no one's side. That is where journalism starts. Radio Free America — radiofreeamerica.press
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The Record

Primary Source Archive

Every document referenced in RFA reporting is archived here with source citations. Bill text. Government records. Committee votes. Timelines built from public records. We show the receipts.

Legislative Document

AB 2624 — Bill Text & Analysis

California 2025–26 Regular Session  |  Introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta  |  April 14, 2026  |  Source: CA Legislative Information

AB 2624 amends Section 1798.79.8 of the California Civil Code to extend the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to qualifying employees of organizations providing immigration legal services as defined under California Business and Professions Code Section 22441.

What the Bill Amends

AB 2624 — Key Operative Language
"A person shall not knowingly publicly post, publicly display, or publicly disclose, on the Internet or by any other means, the personal information or image of an immigration service provider with the intent to cause imminent fear, intimidation, harassment, or bodily harm to the service provider, a client, or a family member."

The bill defines "immigration service provider" as a nonprofit organization, legal aid society, or community organization providing immigration legal services as defined in Business and Professions Code Section 22441 — organizations that must be accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals or employ attorneys licensed to practice in California.

What the Bill Does Not Do

Does not restrict filming of public facilities. The bill's scope is limited to personal information and home-linked imagery of certified individual participants. It does not create any prohibition on filming, photographing, or reporting on the work, location, or operations of immigration organizations.

Does not create a private right of action against journalism. The bill adds to the existing Civil Code privacy protection framework, which applies to intentional publication of personal information with intent to cause harm. Factual reporting about organizations, facilities, and policy does not fall within this scope.

Does not affect existing public records access. Government records, court filings, and public documents remain accessible. The bill concerns the protected individuals' personal identifying information, not organizational records.

Legislative History

Committee Record
Assembly Judiciary Committee vote: 11–2, April 13, 2026. Proceeding to full Assembly floor vote.
Documented Timeline

Nick Shirley: Content Timeline & Documented Enforcement Activity

Sourced from: The Intercept, NPR, Courthouse News, CBS Minnesota, Wikipedia  |  Compiled by Torie Cortez  |  May 2026

The following timeline documents Nick Shirley's content publication activity and the enforcement actions and outcomes connected to the facilities and communities he targeted. Sources are cited for each entry. Where documentation is pending or disputed, this is noted.

⚠ This timeline is under active development. Entries marked [PENDING] reflect events reported but not yet independently verified to RFA's sourcing standard. Verified entries include source citations.
  • Late 2024
    Shirley begins publishing videos targeting Somali-owned daycare facilities in Minnesota Videos allege widespread federal childcare assistance fraud without presenting documentary evidence. Content spreads on right-wing social media platforms.
  • Early 2025
    Harassment of targeted facilities increases; closure of some facilities reported Multiple facilities Shirley targeted received threats. Some closed or reduced operations. [PENDING independent verification of facility closure numbers]
  • Feb. 2026
    NPR reports ICE cited Shirley's content during at least one arrest NPR reporting documents an incident in which ICE officials referenced Shirley's videos as part of the justification for an enforcement action against a facility that was not the subject of any federal fraud investigation.
  • Feb.–Mar. 2026
    Courthouse News: immigrant says ICE invoked Shirley during arrest Legal filing documents ICE agent citing Shirley's content during detention of individual with no connection to any facility Shirley targeted.
  • Apr. 13, 2026
    AB 2624 passes Assembly Judiciary Committee 11–2 DeMaio dubs bill the "Stop Nick Shirley Act" during committee hearing. Bonta's office issues fact sheet rebutting DeMaio's characterization of the bill's scope.
Program Data

California Safe at Home — Current Eligibility Categories

Source: California Secretary of State  |  Compiled May 2026

The Safe at Home program, administered by the California Secretary of State, provides a substitute mailing address to qualifying individuals whose safety would be endangered by disclosure of their home address. Current eligibility categories include:

Domestic violence survivors  |  Sexual assault survivors  |  Stalking victims  |  Human trafficking victims  |  Reproductive health service workers  |  Gender-affirming care workers  |  Elder abuse victims  |  Public health officers  |  State and local government employees (certain roles)  |  Pending: Immigration service providers (AB 2624, if enacted)

The program was established in 1998 and has been expanded by the California Legislature seven times. Each expansion added a category of workers or victims facing documented safety risks from address disclosure via public records.