Assembly Passes measurement Allowing Illegal Immigrant Students To Work At California Colleges And Universities

Authorized by Sophie Li via The Epoch Times,

A bill that would let students who are illegal immigrants to work at California colleges and universities passed the state Assembly on May 22.

Currently, students must have a work licence to hold jobs on campus. That would change under Assembly Bill 2586, introduced by Assemblyman David Alvarez of San Diego.

“Americana has always promoted that if you work hard, you will have the chance to succceed,” the lawmaker said May 24 in a statement.

“Creating these pathways to safe employment is essential.”

The bill passed on a vote of 59-4.

Under the bill, schools can not disqualify a student from employment for failing to supply proof of a national work authorization unless it is required specifically for a position by national law or as a condition of a grant foundation the position.

If the bill were to become law, the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community College (CCC) systems would not increase the national ban on hiring illegal immigrants.

The government is based on the premium that California's public colleges and universities should be exempt from the 1986 national Immigration improvement and Control Act, which prevents employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

When legislature passed the act, it “did not curtail states’ historical power to find the employment classifications of state employees. As a result, [the act’s] Prohibition on hiring undocumented persons does not bind state government entities,” UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy gate in a 2022 memorandum it published.

If passed, the 3 systems will begin implementing the change by Jan. 6, 2025.

An analysis of the bill brought the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community survey from 2023 estimation that California has the most illegal immigrant college students in the nation, with around 83,000 across its higher education systems.

“These students have completed their work and are ready to be our future teachers, scientists, doctors, and public professionals,” Mr. Alvarez, the associate member, said.

While the UC did not take a stand on the bill, president Michael Drake issued a message in January declaring it not feltable for respective reasons.

According to Mr. Drake, employees might face criminal or civilian investigation for knowingly engaging in practices protected by national law, and the UC could incur civilian finances, criminal prisons, or be barred from national contracting for violating the immigration reforms act. It could besides lose billions of dollars in national contracts and grants contingent on compliance.

“We have included that the proposed legal pathway is not available at this time, and in fact cards crucial hazard for the institution and for those we serve,” The president said.

The bill is presently updated assignment to a committee in the state Senate.