A report accused Gavin Newsom of building a wine empire with illegal immigrant workers

A journalistic investigation accused California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, of financially benefiting from the hiring of illegal immigrants in his wine business while promoting state policies that protect this population against federal immigration laws.

The report examined the operations of ''PlumpJack Collection of Wineries'', the business group in which Newsom retains a financial stake, and ''Oso Vineyard'', a property acquired by ''PlumpJack'' in 2022.

According to the investigation, based on court documents, labor reports, and interviews with various sources from California's wine industry, a company hired to manage vineyards linked to Newsom's businesses has a long history of employing workers who are undocumented to remain in the United States.

This allegation is particularly relevant because Newsom has built much of his national political profile around a pro-immigration agenda, opposing the border control and deportation policies promoted by President Donald Trump.

Millions of dollars from his wine businesses

According to the investigation, Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, reported income of at least 11 million dollars between 2019 and 2024. Most of that money is believed to have come from the governor's stake in wineries, vineyards, and restaurants.

Although the governor maintains a financial stake in ''PlumpJack'', the investigation claims that his business activities may be linked to labor practices that contradict federal immigration standards.

Several sources from Napa's wine industry described a considerable presence of illegal immigrant workers in California's vineyards, far exceeding what some official estimates reflect.

The owner of a vineyard management company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, estimated that approximately 80 percent of the sector's workers could be illegally in the country.

''I think it's 80 percent,'' the source stated. They also explained that workers with legal residency and documentation tend to avoid these types of jobs, which contributes to agricultural operations relying on undocumented immigrant labor.

Another source agreed with that estimate and stated that the management company hired by Newsom's businesses knows it employs workers in irregular immigration situations.

Gavin Newsom's immigration policies and the potential conflict of interest

One of the most controversial aspects of the report is the relationship between the governor's political decisions and the economic interests of his businesses. Newsom has used public resources to facilitate the stay of illegal immigrants in California, a policy that also indirectly benefits Napa's wine industry, from which the governor profits.

The accusation points to a contradiction between the governor's political discourse and his financial interests. While he criticizes federal initiatives aimed at strengthening immigration law enforcement, his businesses would operate in a sector that, according to consulted sources, relies heavily on unauthorized workers.

In February 2026, Newsom allocated 35 million dollars of California taxpayers' money to fund assistance and legal services for illegal immigrants facing deportation proceedings in the United States.

The decision was presented as part of his immigrant protection policy against Trump's mass deportation agenda. However, the journalistic revelations raise questions about the economic consequences of these measures and who might benefit from them.

The investigation argues that the availability of undocumented immigrant workers helps sustain the costs and operations of a wine industry facing economic difficulties. In that scenario, Newsom's state policies could indirectly favor a sector in which he has financial interests.

An investigation that increases pressure on the governor

The revelations come as Newsom appears as one of the Democratic figures with the highest aspirations for national projection and a possible presidential candidate. His stance against the Trump administration, particularly on immigration issues, has become one of the cornerstones of his political positioning.

The report introduces an additional dimension to that debate: the possibility that the public policies he advocates also prove beneficial for business activities from which he derives income.

The investigation also puts back under scrutiny the use of public funds to finance services for immigrants facing deportation proceedings, especially when significant economic sectors of the state could benefit from the availability of that labor.