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A newly introduced California bill meant to \u201cprotect\u201d immigration support services is instead raising concerns that it could hinder independent journalism. In an era of citizen-driven accountability and viral expos\u00e9s, some worry the measure could shield companies accused of fraud from public scrutiny.<\/span><\/p>\n Nicknamed by critics as the \u201cStop Nick Shirley Act,\u201d Assembly <\/span>Bill<\/span><\/a> 2624, introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, the wife of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, would e<\/span>stablish a confidentiality program for immigration service providers who face \u201cthreats of violence or harassment from the public.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The bill would also \u201cprohibit a person from posting on the internet or social media \u2026 the personal information or image of a designated immigration support services provider, employee, volunteer, or patient, or other individuals residing at the same home address.\u201d Violations could result in fines up to <\/span>$10,000 or up to one year in jail.<\/span><\/p>\n Critics, including <\/span>Republican Assembly member Carl DeMaio, believe the bill could be leveraged to block investigative reporting and \u201csilence citizen journalists exposing fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, Sacramento politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them,\u201d DeMaio said<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cAB 2624 would allow activists and taxpayer-funded organizations to demand the removal of video evidence \u2014 even if it captures misconduct in plain view \u2014 and threatens journalists with massive financial penalties,\u201d he added. \u201cThat\u2019s not about public safety \u2014 it\u2019s about protecting powerful interests.\u201d<\/p>\n Nick Shirley, an independent journalist known for viral videos exposing alleged Somali daycare fraud in Minnesota, <\/span>recently continued his work in <\/span>California<\/span><\/a>, igniting an online feud<\/a> with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.<\/p>\n In response to the bill, Shirley posted<\/a> to X, \u201cUnder AB 2624, government-funded entities like the Somali \u201cLearing\u201d Daycare centers would be protected from being exposed if they operated inside California.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe enemy truly is within. When our politicians would rather protect fraudsters and illegal migrants, it\u2019s time for us to stand up or face mass oppression from the traitors who \u2018rule\u2019 over us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Bonta, however, rejected claims that the bill targets journalism. In a recent <\/span>video<\/span><\/a>, she said, \u201cPeople who work to help immigrant communities should not have to fear being doxxed for doing so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She said the bill is designed to shield workers from having their personal information publicly exposed and to provide legal tools to prevent and respond to targeted harassment.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf MAGA can\u2019t tell the difference between journalism and doxxing, that\u2019s on them, because on my bill, there are no provisions related to journalism or fraud. This bill does not infringe on the First Amendment,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n