California lawmakers are taking a bold stand to protect students from potential immigration enforcement on school campuses. Two groundbreaking bills recently passed by the state legislature aim to create safe educational environments for all students, regardless of their immigration status.

Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 98 represent significant steps toward protecting vulnerable student populations. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, these bills will establish crucial protections that prevent immigration officers from freely accessing school grounds and mandate transparent communication about potential enforcement presence.

Under AB 49, schools would be prohibited from allowing immigration officers to enter campuses or interrogate students without a judicial warrant. This legislation also bars schools from sharing student, family, or employee information with immigration officials without proper legal documentation.

Senate Bill 98 goes a step further by requiring all TK-12 schools, community colleges, California State University campuses, and private colleges receiving Cal Grants to immediately notify students, faculty, and staff if federal immigration officers are confirmed to be on campus. The University of California system is also strongly encouraged to implement similar notification protocols.

These legislative efforts stem from documented concerns about how immigration enforcement fears impact educational participation. Research has shown that when families are anxious about potential immigration raids, student attendance can significantly drop, undermining educational access and opportunities.

It’s worth remembering that the U.S. Supreme Court decisively ruled in 1982 that all children living in the United States have an unconditional right to attend public schools, regardless of their immigration status. These new bills reinforce that fundamental educational promise.

As the bills await Governor Newsom’s signature, they represent a powerful statement about California’s commitment to creating inclusive, safe learning environments for all students, irrespective of their background or documentation status.