California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that protects sensitive personal information collected from street vendors during local permitting processes from being accessed by federal immigration agencies.
The law, SB 635, known as the Street Vendor Protection Act, was authored by Democratic Senator María Elena Durazo.
“Street vendors are a cornerstone of our communities and contribute significantly to California’s vibrant culture and economy,” Durazo said in a statement shared with Newsweek.
Why It Matters
Newsom has gone toe-to-toe with President Donald Trump over his aggressive immigration policies, resisting the administration’s hard-line deportation efforts. Newsom has signed a series of bills aimed at curbing ICE’s ability to conduct raids in sensitive locations such as schools and churches, requiring schools to notify families when immigration officers are on campus, and making California the first state to prohibit enforcement agents from covering their faces except in limited cases like undercover operations or medical masks.
What To Know
State Democrats say the bill provides protections for immigrant entrepreneurs and small-business owners across the state.
“SB 635 ensures that these hardworking entrepreneurs can operate their businesses without fear that their personal information will be turned over to immigration authorities,” Durazo’s statement said.
“This law affirms California’s commitment to protect immigrant families, support small-business owners, and ensure that our limited state and local resources are not used for federal immigration enforcement.”
SB 635 was co-sponsored by advocacy groups including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Community Power Collective, Inclusive Action for the City, Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, and Public Counsel. Over 60 organizations, including the California Federation of Labor and American Civil Liberties Union California Action, supported the legislation.
Under current law, local governments are permitted to collect and retain sensitive information about vendors, including their citizenship or immigration status, which may be shared with federal agencies.
SB 635 provides safeguards for immigrant entrepreneurs and small-business owners across California. By protecting personal and business data from federal immigration enforcement, the law ensures that immigrant vendors can operate without concerns that their information will be used against them. Advocates say these protections help immigrant families maintain privacy, reduce the risk of deportation, and support small-business development.
What People Are Saying
“This victory belongs to the street vendors who courageously spoke up and demanded protection,” Democratic Senator María Elena Durazo said in a statement shared with Newsweek.
“California is stronger when we support all workers and ensure that everyone can contribute to our economy without fear.”
Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said in a statement: “Street vendors are immigrant workers, parents, and small-business owners who contribute every day to the life and culture of our communities. With this bill, California takes an important step toward fairness, privacy protection, safety, and economic opportunity for countless entrepreneurial families who seek to work with dignity and without fear.”
What Happens Next
The law will come into effect on January 1, 2026.