Picture this: immigrant students just trying to learn, grow, and chase their dreams without constantly looking over their shoulders. The California Legislature just said “not on our watch” and dropped two groundbreaking bills that are basically a middle finger to aggressive immigration enforcement.

Protecting Student Rights, No Exceptions

Assembly Bill 49 is setting some serious boundaries. Immigration officers wanting to enter a school campus or interrogate a student? They’ll need a judicial warrant or court order. And schools are now forbidden from spilling the tea about student, family, or employee information to immigration officials without proper legal documentation.

Campus Alert System Activated

Senate Bill 98 is taking things a step further by requiring schools to immediately notify students, faculty, and staff if federal immigration officers are confirmed on campus. From TK-12 schools to community colleges and state universities, everyone’s getting the heads up.

This isn’t just bureaucratic paperwork - it’s about creating safe spaces for some of California’s most vulnerable students. Research has shown that fear of immigration enforcement can dramatically reduce school attendance, essentially pushing kids out of educational opportunities they legally deserve.

Remember, the U.S. Supreme Court already determined back in 1982 that ALL children living in the U.S. have the right to public education, regardless of immigration status. These bills are just making sure that right is genuinely protected.

Governor Gavin Newsom now has these bills on his desk, and the progressive Bay Area is holding its breath in anticipation.