FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 3, 2026

Contact: Elisa Rivera at Elisa.Rivera@sen.ca.gov or (559) 264-3070

Senator Caballero’s Civil Detainees Bill of Rights Heads to Governor

SB 942 establishes basic protections for people held in civil detention facilities and strengthens state oversight

SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Anna M. Caballero’s (D-Merced) SB 942, the Civil Detainees Bill of Rights, has passed the Legislature and is headed to the Governor. The bill establishes basic protections for people held in civil detention facilities in California and strengthens the state’s ability to investigate violations and hold facility operators accountable.

Immigrants held in ICE detention are detained pursuant to federal civil law while they wait for a hearing before a federal immigration judge, a process that can take months or sometimes years. They are not held in detention because of a criminal conviction.

SB 942 establishes rights for people held in civil detention facilities, including access to clean water, adequate food, medical and mental health care, safe and sanitary conditions, religious practices, family and legal counsel, and protection from abuse, neglect and retaliation.

The bill also strengthens state oversight and gives the California Attorney General tools to investigate violations and hold owners and operators of detention facilities accountable.

“I oppose mass detention, and no amount of oversight makes family separation and incarceration for civil violations justifiable,” said Senator Caballero. “However, while the federal government has the power to hold people in facilities in California, we need the power to ensure that they are treated humanely.”

The need for oversight is clear. Six people died in California immigration detention facilities between September 2025 and March 2026. Elected officials seeking information about these deaths and attempting to see conditions firsthand have been denied access.

“These people are our neighbors, workers, parents, grandparents, coaches, churchgoers and volunteers,” Caballero said. “They deserve better. This bill will ensure it.”

For interviews or inquiries, please contact: Elisa Rivera at (559) 264-3070

About Senator Anna M. Caballero
Senator Anna M. Caballero represents California’s 14th Senate District, which includes much of Merced, Fresno, and Madera Counties. She is Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and a member of several other committees. Senator Caballero continues to work tirelessly on behalf of her district for policies that strengthen California’s agricultural industry, protects working families, supports affordable, accessible healthcare for all and fosters economic development across the state.

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