A prominent candidate in the California governor’s race has unveiled an immigration platform considered by many to be the most progressive in the nation, yet a stark contradiction lies within his past investments.
Tom Steyer, a wealthy Democrat who previously sought the presidential nomination, has risen to the forefront of the California gubernatorial contest following a withdrawal from a key opponent. He has already invested a substantial sum – exceeding $100 million – in his campaign for the state’s highest office.
Steyer’s recently released immigration plan dramatically shifts the debate, even positioning him to the left of the current governor on this critical issue. The proposals include sweeping changes to enforcement and a significant expansion of support for those facing immigration challenges.
The platform calls for the complete abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and suggests holding its agents accountable, even framing the idea of treating them as organized crime figures. It also proposes using state resources to provide comprehensive legal representation for individuals regardless of their immigration status.
Furthermore, Steyer has vowed to defy a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows ICE to consider factors like race and language when establishing reasonable suspicion for immigration arrests. He argues California must act independently to protect its residents.
The core tenets of the plan include dismantling ICE, empowering the California Attorney General to detain ICE personnel, and ensuring taxpayer-funded legal support for all, regardless of immigration status. This represents a bold, and for some, a radical departure from existing policy.
However, a closer look reveals a complex history. Steyer’s past financial dealings paint a different picture, raising questions about the sincerity of his current stance. For years, he profited from a company deeply involved in immigration detention.
Through his hedge fund, Farallon Capital Management, Steyer invested nearly $90 million in CoreCivic, a private prison company that operates several immigration detention facilities in California. These facilities house individuals detained by federal immigration authorities.
Steyer divested from the company in 2012, but the investment has resurfaced as his political profile rises. He now acknowledges the investment was a “mistake,” stating it was not a “decent place to make money.”
This admission comes as Steyer attempts to reconcile his past business practices with his current, highly progressive immigration platform, leaving voters to consider the implications of his evolving position.
