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Democrats participating in Tuesday night’s California gubernatorial debate unanimously criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with some calling for it to be abolished entirely.
“People are afraid to even see a doctor. If I am governor, I will restore universal health care to all, including undocumented immigrants in the state of California because we know that health care is a right,” said State Schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
“I will work with Congress until we end ICE. We [will] create a path to citizenship, a better California is possible,” he added.
Thurmond’s message was echoed on stage in San Francisco, from billionaire Tom Steyer to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
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From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee stand on stage during a California congressional debate on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
“This country was built by immigrants. This state doesn’t work without immigrants. Yes, we need a fair, just system, but this is the complete opposite of that,” Steyer told the audience.
“You really can’t change a wrong and criminal organization from top to bottom,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Becerra vowed to “become the immigration police.”
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Xavier Becerra, left, and Steve Hilton participate in a California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
The two California mayors on stage, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, failed to call for ICE to be abolished entirely. Mahan accused federal agents of threatening “human rights and civil liberties.”
Villaraigosa was more aggressive, comparing ICE officers to the “Ku Klux Klan,” describing them as “dressed from head to toe, all covered like the Ku Klux Klan with assault weapons, flash bang bombs, beating women, children and innocents.”
Former California state governor Betty Yee was the most muted on the issue, saying she encouraged immigrants and protesters to take “know your rights” training and saying immigrants in the state are taxpayers.
Antonio Villaraigosa, left, listens to Betty Yee during a California candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
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“If people understand that immigrants are a huge contributor to our economy and our community here in California … and that’s what we’re going to build together. We’re a holy country,” Yee said. “Ice has no business coming in and destroying communities, it destroys families.”
Tuesday’s debate was the second in the democratic primary race, with the first election scheduled for June 2.
