A controversial new bill, dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” is gaining momentum in California.
The act, also referred to as AB 2624, would outlaw the sharing of photos or personal data of “immigrant service” providers on the internet in the state if it were done as harassment.
“It would add immigrant service providers to the state’s safe at home program,” Democratic Assembly Member Mia Bonta explained via X on April 15, 2026. “This proven program already covers domestic violence victims, reproductive care and gender affirming care workers, among others. People who work to help immigrant communities should not have to fear being doxed for doing so.”
Critics, including Elon Musk, see the bill as something completely different.
“California legislators are trying to make investigating fraud illegal,” Musk wrote via X on April 13, 2026.
As the bill continues working its way through the legislative process, Us Weekly is breaking down what it means and how YouTuber Nick Shirley is involved:
Who Is Nick Shirley?
Nick Shirley is an independent YouTube journalist who brought nationwide attention to alleged daycare fraud in Minnesota and hospice and Medicare fraud in California.
The right-wing content creator, who previously attended the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), has been an outspoken critic of AB 2624.
“California is trying to pass a bill that would criminalize investigative journalism with misdemeanors, $10,000 fines, imprisonment and content takedown,” Shirley claimed via Instagram on April 15, 2026. “The proposed bill is titled AB 2624 and was made after I exposed mass fraud by immigrant groups in America. … When our politicians would rather protect fraudsters and illegal migrants, it’s time for us to stand up or face mass oppression from the traitors who ‘rule’ over us.”
Who Is Mia Bonta and Why Is She Sponsoring the Bill?
Democratic Assembly Member Mia Bonta is married to California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta. She has been vocal in her support for the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” as she hopes to help workers providing aid to immigrants.
“AB 2624 doesn’t stop journalism or fraud investigations; it stops bad-faith actors from doxxing workers serving immigrants with proven intent to threaten or incite violence,” she said via X on April 13, 2026. “Doxxing isn’t journalism.”
In response to some Republicans who suggest the bill would criminalize journalism, Mia denied such claims.
“If Maga can’t tell the difference between journalism and doxing, that’s on them, because under my bill, there are no provisions related to journalism or fraud,” she said in a video. “This bill does not infringe on the First Amendment. But sharing the name and address of a front desk worker to intimidate them out of doing their job isn’t reporting. It isn’t investigating fraud. It’s wrong, and California should hold firm on the truth.”
What Do Critics Say About the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’?
California State Assembly member Carl DeMaio, who is a registered Republican, slammed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.”
“California Democrats are trying to intimidate citizen watchdog journalists and protect waste and fraud happening in far-Left-wing NGOs,” DeMaio said in a statement posted online. “Instead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, Sacramento politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them. … If this bill becomes law, the message is clear to every journalist in California: expose corruption and you will be punished.”
While appearing on the April 14, 2026, episode of Fox News’ The Will Cain Show, Nick Shirley accused Democrats of trying to scare away independent journalists from looking into fraud.
“They’re trying to make it so citizen journalists or just average Americans who are going about seeing what’s happening inside their community — they’re trying to scare them from talking about potential fraud taking place inside of these communities,” Shirley alleged.
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