Swalwell’s Bold Stance on ICE Agents’ Licenses

During a recent debate among candidates for California governor, Rep. Eric Swalwell made a striking commitment: he intends to revoke the driver’s licenses of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, despite California’s policy of issuing licenses to undocumented immigrants.

“They’re going to lose their immunity, which means they won’t be driving anymore. I’ll be taking away your driver’s license. Good luck walking to work,” Swalwell stated emphatically at the California Governors Forum on Empowerment held on Saturday.

This proposal could lead to a peculiar situation in California, where undocumented individuals can obtain driver’s licenses, yet federal enforcement officers could find themselves stripped of that privilege.

Back in 2013, former Governor Jerry Brown approved a legislative measure that permitted undocumented immigrants to secure driver’s licenses, and the law took effect two years later.

“When it comes to ICE, as Californians, we really have no choice but to take a stand against them,” he added during the forum, which also featured other gubernatorial hopefuls like Rep. Katie Porter.

Swalwell also mentioned plans to direct local law enforcement to scrutinize and prosecute ICE agents aggressively. “I will instruct law enforcement to use all resources to pursue charges against [ICE agents] for various offenses,” he said, citing serious allegations such as assault and false imprisonment.

The backdrop of his statements comes amid intensified scrutiny of ICE by immigration advocates, especially since former President Trump took office again. Activists have been increasingly vocal against the agency’s escalated enforcement efforts nationwide.

Protests erupted across the country following the shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE officer, which underscored rising tensions with the agency.

Just two days after the tragic incident involving Lenny Goode in Minneapolis, Swalwell, alongside Representative Dan Goldman from New York, introduced the ICE OUT Act. This federal law aims to eliminate the qualified immunity that ICE agents currently enjoy. However, reports suggest it’s unlikely that charges will emerge concerning Goode’s death.