Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 509 has been welcomed by various Indian American groups, who expressed concerns about potential divisions within California’s diverse communities.
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 509 (SB 509) on Sunday, October 12, effectively sparing diverse diasporic communities in California from what critics described as “potential divisions over redundant transnational repression training mandates.”
Authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), SB 509 aimed to establish a specialized law enforcement training program designed to help officers recognize and respond to transnational repression. This term refers to the harassment, threats, and intimidation perpetrated by foreign governments against diaspora communities within the United States. The bill was co-authored by Senators Jasmeet Bains (D-35, Bakersfield) and Esmeralda Soria (D-27, Merced).
In a statement accompanying the introduction of SB 509, Caballero noted that authoritarian regimes worldwide are extending their influence into the U.S., targeting immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeker communities. These governments employ methods such as digital surveillance, social media monitoring, and covert intimidation tactics to silence dissent and suppress free expression, even within U.S. borders.
“Just as law enforcement is trained to identify domestic violence and human trafficking, they must also be prepared to protect communities targeted by foreign governments,” Caballero stated. “SB 509 is about justice, dignity, and ensuring that no one in California lives in fear because of who they are or where they come from. All Californians deserve to feel safe in their homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods.”
California’s diverse communities, particularly ethnic and religious minorities who have fled oppressive regimes, have frequently been targets of abuse. However, local police often lack the training necessary to identify these issues or assist victims effectively. SB 509 received support from both police leaders and immigrant rights organizations, including the California Police Chiefs Association and Immigrant Defense Advocates. The bill proposed that the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), in consultation with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards, develop training to identify and respond to transnational repression.
Despite its support, SB 509 faced criticism from certain Hindu and Indian American groups, who expressed concerns about legislative overreach and the potential for stigmatization of communities of Indian origin. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a vocal opponent of the bill, argued that its focus on specific training for local law enforcement duplicated existing federal guidelines from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. He warned that this could lead to unnecessary profiling and fracture alliances within California’s vibrant South Asian diaspora.
Grassroots organizations such as the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) mobilized against the bill, organizing protests, circulating petitions, and hosting community forums to halt its progress in Sacramento. Despite their efforts, the bill continued to gain traction, highlighting the challenges of opposing bipartisan support without direct access to executive power.
Although the bill passed the state legislature, it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Newsom. In his statement, the Governor explained that the issue would be more effectively addressed through administrative processes in coordination with federal agencies. He emphasized that, in the absence of a consistent federal definition, the bill would limit the state’s flexibility and could lead to future inconsistencies in its implementation.
The veto was met with approval from critics of the bill. Bhutoria remarked, “His veto of SB 509 preserves our harmony, ensuring that we build bridges rather than barriers among diaspora communities.”
Source: Original article