Democrats participating in Tuesday night’s California gubernatorial debate were unanimous in condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with some calling for its outright abolition.

“People are afraid to even go to the doctor. When I am governor, I will restore universal health care Everyone, including undocumented immigrants in California, because we know health care is a right,” said State Schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond.

“I will work with Congress until we Abolish ICE. We (will) create a path to citizenship and a better California is possible,” he added.

Thurmond’s message was echoed on the San Francisco stage by everyone from billionaire Tom Steyer to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

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Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Ye (from left) stand at the podium during the California gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Raul Andrillon)

“This country was built by immigrants. This country doesn’t work no immigration. Of course we need to have a fair and just system, but this is exactly the opposite,” Steyer told the audience.

“You really can’t reform an organization that is absolutely wrong and criminal from top to bottom,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Becerra vowed he would “oversee the immigration police.”

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Xavier Becerra, left, and Steve Hilton attend the California gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Raul Andrillon)

Neither of the two California mayors on stage, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, called for the complete abolition of ICE. Mahan accused federal agents of threatening people’s “rights and civil liberties.”

In comparison, Villaraigosa is more aggressive ICE officer The “Ku Klux Klan” described them as “dressed from head to toe like the Ku Klux Klan, armed with assault weapons and flash grenades, beating women, children and innocent people.”

Former California Gov. Betty Yee has been the most silent on the issue, saying she encouraged immigrants and protesters to attend “know your rights” training and claiming the state’s immigrants were taxpayers.

Antonio Villaraigosa (left) listens to Betty Yeh’s speech during the California gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Raul Andrillon)

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“When people understand that immigrants contribute so much to our economy and society in California … that’s what we will build together. We are a sanctuary state,” Yi said. “Meth has no right to come in and destroy communities and destroy families.”

Tuesday’s debate is the second in the state’s Democratic primary, scheduled for June 2.