Assembly Democrats Pass Legislation to Protect California Immigrants from ICE Raids at Schools, Health Care Facilities

SACRAMENTO — As Donald Trump’s heartless ICE raids continue to harm California’s immigrant communities and economy, Assembly Democrat lawmakers are pushing-back and passing new laws that will protect immigrants — especially parents and children — at schools and hospitals.

On Tuesday, the California Assembly passed four bills that deliver key safeguards for immigrant communities, including:

• Assembly Bill 49: protects immigrant children from immigration officers that enter schools or child care facilities by requiring them to provide valid identification, a written statement of purpose, a valid judicial warrant, and approval from the school district's superintendent or director of the child care center. It also restricts their access to school or child care facilities where students or children are not present.
• Senate Bill 81: strengthens privacy protections in health care by prohibiting access to medical information from immigration enforcement. It also prohibits access to patients and restricted areas from immigration authorities without a valid warrant. Hospitals are required to implement staff training for immigration enforcement requests and have the ability to designate “nonpublic areas” to safeguard patient privacy.
• Senate Bill 98: enhances the safety of school campuses statewide—including K-12, CSU, UC, and community colleges—by requiring them to notify students, parents and guardians, faculty, staff and community members when immigration enforcement officers are present on school sites.
• Senate Joint Resolution 9: denounces immigration raids that target immigrant workers and families in California and the engagement of the military in immigration enforcement operations and in response to community protests. This measure underscores the California legislature’s support for safeguarding the rights and safety of all Californians, regardless of immigration status, and support, among other things, the expansion of legal services and emergency response resources to protect workers, children, and families affected by immigration enforcement.

AB 49 is now headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature, and SB 81 and SB 98 will go to the Senate for concurrence votes.

What Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Says

“Trump is targeting California and sowing chaos, instilling fear and division, and harming our economy. And our immigrants — everyday Californians — are paying the price. I stand with our immigrant communities, with all our workers and families, and I thank my fellow Assembly Democrats for fighting alongside our immigrant friends and neighbors. We will only stop Trump by standing together.”

What Vice Chair of the California Latino Caucus Assemblymember Juan Carrillo Says

“As an immigrant myself and Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus, I know firsthand the invaluable contributions immigrants bring to California. The passage of AB 49, SB 81, SB 98, and SJR 9 sends a clear message: California stands with immigrant families. These laws reaffirm our commitment to protecting parents, children, and workers from fear and intimidation while honoring their vital role in our schools, hospitals, and economy.”

What Vice Chair of the California Latino Caucus Assemblymember Liz Ortega Says

“No one should have to fear seeking healthcare or getting an education in California. We can’t let masked men terrorize our schools and hospitals—that’s why I’m proud to support AB 49 and SB 81, and proud of our Latino Caucus for leading the fight to protect our communities.”

What Chair of the Assembly Education Committee Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi Says

“All children have a constitutional right to attend public schools, regardless of their immigration status. Unfortunately, recent federal immigration raids across California have spread fear among students and their families. Children cannot learn when they are living in fear of deportation or family separation. That is why I introduced AB 49, the California Safe Haven Schools Act, together with Latino Caucus Chair Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Vice Chair Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), and Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando), to keep ICE out of California public schools and urge the Governor to sign this critical bill.”

###

For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:

Instagram: @caspeakerrivas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/