Newsom Approves Divisive Legislation Allowing Relatives to Raise Children of Deported Parents

On February 8, 2025, Loreal Duran navigated the hallways of her Los Angeles apartment complex with her one- and seven-year-old children, having faced upheaval after her husband, Giovanni, originally from El Salvador, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 495, permitting a broader circle of relatives to assume caregiving roles for children when parents are deported, amid heated conservative backlash. The legislation also prohibits daycare providers from inquiring about immigration status and allows parents to select temporary legal guardians through family court. Newsom emphasized family privacy and rights, stating, “We are putting on record that we stand by our families.” This bill, part of several responsive measures to the previous administration's immigrant policies, came after intensive lobbying from advocates who championed immigrant families’ well-being. While supporters argue it empowers vulnerable families, critics warn of risks involving potential child custody misappropriations, representing a contentious battleground in California's ongoing immigration discourse.