CALIFORNIA January 16, 2026 – California Governor Gavin Newsom reignited discussions on immigration policy today by posting a clip from his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” where he argued that sanctuary policies enhance community safety. The post, shared on X (formerly Twitter), quickly drew polarized reactions, amassing over 18,000 views and hundreds of replies within hours.
In the 73-second video clip, Newsom referenced former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s support for sanctuary measures, stating, “I have sort of Rudy Giuliani’s point of view, who made the point as an advocate for sanctuary policy when he was mayor in New York. He said it keeps people safer, healthier, and more educated.” He elaborated that such policies encourage undocumented individuals to report crimes as witnesses or victims, seek medical immunizations, and ensure their children attend school without fear of deportation by local authorities like nurses or school crossing guards turning them over to ICE.
Newsom described sanctuary policies as a “tool of pragmatism” born from the federal government’s “complete abject failure” on comprehensive immigration reform. He highlighted California’s SB 54, the state’s sanctuary law enacted before his governorship, and countered claims that these policies attract illegal immigration by noting similar increases in non-sanctuary states.
The governor’s caption on the post read: “Fox News and the GOP don’t want you to know this: Sanctuary policies keep our communities safer.” This framing positioned the message as a rebuttal to conservative critics, amid ongoing national debates over border security and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Reactions on X were swift and largely critical from conservative users. Hunter Eagleman, a retired homicide detective, dismissed the claim as “clown” talk, urging Newsom to consult California police officers. User @ChristineX2024 shared an image of victims’ families, saying, “Tell that to their families Gavin.” Others, like @TheSouthGAJohn , posted counter-memes highlighting California’s crime statistics, while @vancemurphy called for comparing crime rates across demographic neighborhoods. Supporters were fewer in the top replies, but the post garnered nearly 1,000 likes, suggesting some resonance among Newsom’s followers.
This comes as immigration remains a hot-button issue, with recent federal pushes under the Trump administration emphasizing stricter enforcement. Newsom, a vocal Democrat and potential 2028 presidential contender, has long championed California’s sanctuary status, which limits local law enforcement’s involvement in immigration matters.
The full episode of “This is Gavin Newsom” is available on major podcast platforms, where the governor discusses a range of topics from state governance to national politics. As debates heat up, experts continue to weigh in on the efficacy of sanctuary policies, with studies showing mixed results on crime rates in affected cities.
About The Author
