California lawmakers advanced legislation that threatens investigative journalists with fines up to $12,000 for filming and exposing fraud at taxpayer-funded immigrant service organizations, raising urgent First Amendment concerns among constitutional advocates.

Penalties Target Investigative Reporting

Assembly Bill 2624, authored by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, imposes civil sanctions starting at $4,000 against journalists who film individuals at designated immigrant service centers. If reporters refuse to remove published videos after receiving complaints, penalties triple to $12,000. The legislation allows subjects of investigative reporting to obtain court injunctions blocking journalists from filming for up to four years. In cases deemed threatening, journalists face criminal charges and $10,000 fines.

State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio challenged Bonta during committee hearings, warning the bill would silence citizen journalists documenting government-funded programs. DeMaio labeled AB 2624 the Stop Nick Shirley Act, referencing independent journalist Nick Shirley who exposed over $110 million in Minnesota daycare fraud in December 2025. The bill classifies investigative journalism as harassment when targeting immigrant service organizations, shielding entities from public scrutiny regardless of wrongdoing.

Don’t stop talking about this

California Democrat Mia Bonta introduced California Assembly Bill 2624, The Stop Nick Shirley Act

Not only will it criminalize investigative journalism, IT CREATES SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS COMMITTING THE CRIMES

The bill will create a new address… pic.twitter.com/lucYBdiejp

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) April 14, 2026

Constitutional Concerns Mount

DeMaio condemned the legislation as an unconstitutional assault on transparency and free speech. The bill’s language permits organizations to demand video removal even when recordings capture misconduct in public spaces. Supporters claim AB 2624 protects immigrant organizations from violence threats, but critics argue the broad language extends protection to any organization claiming to serve legal or illegal immigrants, effectively blocking accountability for taxpayer-funded fraud.

Fraud Investigations At Risk

The legislation comes as independent journalists increasingly use video documentation to expose fraud in government programs. Critics warn AB 2624 sends a clear message to California journalists: expose corruption and face punishment. DeMaio argued Sacramento politicians prioritize protecting powerful interests over fixing fraud problems uncovered by watchdog reporting. The bill’s advancement through committee marks a dangerous escalation in government efforts to control investigative journalism, constitutional advocates warn.