The Libertarian Party of California stands with immigrants, refugees, and all peaceful people under threat from government power. We oppose ICE raids, detention centers, surveillance, and every form of state coercion that punishes people simply for seeking a better life.
We believe people should be free to move, work, and live without asking permission from bureaucrats. But our current immigration system is built on fear, not freedom. It punishes peaceful people, divides families, and distorts our economy.
Armed raids by immigration agents don't make us safer—they terrorize communities and tear apart families. People have been arrested at their own immigration hearings, punished for doing exactly what the government told them to do. We've seen asylum seekers detained indefinitely, including children. And ICE has operated as a rogue agency, often evading due process and basic human rights.
Much of this was accelerated by conservative ideologues who turned immigration policy into a tool of political warfare. But these policies only exist because elected officials—from both major parties—continue to enable them. This is not a partisan failure. It’s a moral one.
Even within the Libertarian movement, there's an ongoing debate about the extent of immigration freedom. Not everyone supports the idea of totally unrestricted borders—and that’s understandable.
Concerns about national security, public services, or cultural stability are not inherently bigoted, and should be addressed respectfully. But it's wrong to respond to those concerns with blanket bans, bureaucratic quotas, and armed enforcement. Libertarians reject the use of force against peaceful people—regardless of where they come from.
We advocate for market-based, rights-respecting solutions:
There are alternatives to both central planning and militarized borders. The status quo is failing everyone.
The U.S. labor market is being quietly squeezed—not by immigrants—but by bad policy. While some fear that newcomers take jobs, the evidence shows that immigration strengthens the economy, fills essential roles, and complements native-born labor.
In fact, many industries—especially in California—are facing severe labor shortages, driving up prices and straining small businesses. From agriculture to elder care to tech startups, our economy depends on people willing to work hard. Yet our government criminalizes their presence.
Ask yourself: who really benefits from keeping workers out?
Behind every policy is a motivation—and we need to confront it. Anti-immigrant sentiment often isn’t about jobs or law and order. It’s about fear of the unfamiliar, cultural anxiety, and political manipulation.
Some Americans have been told, again and again, that immigrants are to blame for their problems. It’s easier to blame newcomers than to confront a broken education system, a bloated welfare state, or a crumbling healthcare system. But immigrants didn’t cause those problems—government did.
We stand with immigrants not because it’s politically convenient, but because it’s morally right. We stand against ICE raids, surveillance, detention, and forced family separations. We demand reform—not as a favor to immigrants, but as a defense of liberty for all.
Let’s build a future where:
• Peaceful people can cross borders as easily as ideas
• Families can live without fear of midnight raids
• Our economy thrives because human potential isn’t locked behind walls
Liberty doesn’t stop at the border—and neither should our compassion.