Undocumented students and supporters are marching today in Sacramento to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would allow students to be employed in public university jobs, regardless of their immigration status.
Assembly Bill 2586 would allow the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges to hire close to 55,000 undocumented college students for on-campus jobs, including internships and research jobs that some students say would help their careers. It passed the legislature, despite concerns from representatives from all three public university systems. According to the L.A. Times, they sent letters to state officials expressing fear that there might be repercussions from the federal government, due to a federal law that bars employers from hiring undocumented immigrants.
“Do we really want to rattle the hornet’s nest?” if Trump wins, said Regent José Hernández, according to the L.A. Times. “You have to look at the political landscape.”
The University of California considered but ultimately rejected a policy that would have allowed for the hiring of undocumented students, saying it carried too many legal risks.
Supporters of the legislation have argued that the federal law banning employment of undocumented immigrants does not apply to state entities, such as California’s public college and university systems.
“We fought for this bill because we deserve an equal chance to thrive in what has always been known as the land of opportunity. This bill is about fairness and ensuring that all students have access to the opportunities they need to succeed,” said Jeffry Umaña Muñoz, a graduate student at Cal State LA, in a statement.
Since its founding in 1977, EdSource has broadened its focus to include a broad range of education reforms, including early education and preschools, charter schools, school accountability, STEM education, teacher preparation and college access.