Newsom signs ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ into law

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the legislation dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” into law on Saturday.

The bill expands the state’s Safe at Home address confidentiality program to certain nonprofit employees who assist people with the immigration system. It was introduced in February by Democratic Assemblywoman Mia Bonta and is now set to take effect on October 1, 2027.

Supporters of the legislation have argued that immigrant service providers are facing increased threats and harassment and need stronger protections. 

“Our immigrant service providers are living in fear because of extremists looking to demonize the work that they do and the populations they serve,” Bonta said Saturday. “That is an intolerable consequence of the anti-immigrant rhetoric that exists right now.”

However, critics have raised concerns that the measure could be used to intimidate or deter independent journalists investigating nonprofit organizations for potential fraud. The legislation was nicknamed after Nick Shirley, the independent journalist and YouTuber who gained prominence through videos investigating organizations he suspects of fraud. Following a series of viral videos in Minnesota outside suspicious nonprofit organizations, Shirley travelled to San Diego and recorded businesses he suspects are engaging in fraud.

Shirley criticized the legislation, arguing it was created after he “exposed widespread fraud in immigrant communities,” according to the New York Post.

The bill’s passage also comes after Shirley was conducting a sidewalk interview outside the California State Capitol on Wednesday when Terry Schanz, the chief of staff to Democratic Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, confronted him. Schanz held up a flyer reading “Did you guys hear that Nick Shirley has a small penis allegedly?” 

Complaints were reportedly filed with the California Legislature’s Human Resources department following the incident. Schanz is expected to face consequences for his actions.