Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) said he intends to bar officers who work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from California state government jobs if he is elected governor this November. Swalwell told Katie Phang that he would use emergency powers to direct state agencies not to hire current ICE employees who seek to transfer into state roles.
Swalwell framed the move as part of a broader effort to protect immigrants and hold federal agents accountable. He argued that working for ICE is a voluntary choice and that state employment should not be an option for agents who continue in those roles.
"It's often the case that law enforcement officers will want to lateral from one department to another. And as governor, I'll use my emergency powers, and I'll tell every state agency, 'We are not, as a policy, hiring ICE agents,'" Swalwell said on the program. He added that anyone still employed by ICE who "hasn't got the message" would not be eligible for state jobs.
In a separate statement on MS·NOW, Swalwell proposed revoking the driver's licenses of federal immigration agents who wear masks and refuse to identify themselves while performing operations. He said such agents should be required to show identification, and that those who commit crimes should be charged.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel in the Rayburn House Office Building Sept. 17, 2025.
Swalwell announced his campaign for governor in November during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show and has described his prospective role as both a "protector" and a "fighter" for Californians. Fox News Digital reported that ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What This Would Mean
If enacted, Swalwell's plan would instruct every California state agency to decline applications or transfers from current ICE officers. The proposal raises legal and practical questions about the extent of a governor's emergency powers, state hiring practices, and potential federal-state conflicts over immigration enforcement.
Note: The proposal reflects Swalwell's campaign priorities and would require legal and administrative steps before becoming policy.
