California Lawmakers Pass SAFE Act to Shield Schools from Immigration Enforcement

From the SB98 press conference (Photo – Office of Sasha Renée Pérez)

In a pivotal move for California’s immigrant communities, SB 98, also known as the SAFE Act, has passed both the California Assembly and Senate and is now on its way to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final approval. Authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), the legislation aims to protect K-12 and higher education institutions from the threat of immigration enforcement actions on school campuses.

By News Desk

The SAFE Act mandates that schools notify families if immigration authorities are present on campus, similar to the emergency alert systems already in place for other potential campus threats. The bill is designed to inform and empower students and their families, particularly those in immigrant communities, about their rights and safety in the face of potential raids or deportation efforts by federal authorities.

“With students returning to school, this legislation is more important than ever,” said Senator Pérez, who also chairs the Senate Education Committee. “The SAFE Act will help protect immigrant students and their families from the fear of deportations, raids, and the presence of immigration enforcement on school grounds. Our schools must remain safe havens for education, not locations of uncertainty and fear.”

The legislation includes an urgency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon Governor Newsom’s signature, rather than waiting for the traditional January 1 enactment date.

A Call for Action

“I urge Governor Newsom to sign the SAFE Act,” Pérez added. “Students and their families have been living in fear. California must ensure our schools and colleges remain places where students can learn, teachers can teach, and classrooms are safe for all students, regardless of their immigration status.”

SB 98 is a priority bill for the California Latino Legislative Caucus and has garnered support from several key educational and advocacy organizations, including California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, the University of California Student Association, the California State Student Association, and the California Faculty Association.

Support from Education Leaders

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond expressed his strong backing for the bill, emphasizing the need to protect immigrant families amid heightened immigration enforcement. “Our immigrant families are living in fear, and now is the time to act. I have witnessed firsthand the trauma of parents and students being detained without due process on school grounds,” said Thurmond. “The SAFE Act will ensure our schools remain a place of sanctuary for learning, and that educators, staff, and families have the information and support they need to stay safe.”

Esther Mejia, Government Relations Chair of the University of California Student Association, also expressed her gratitude for the Assembly’s passage of SB 98, highlighting its importance for students across the state. “The SAFE Act is more than legislation, it is a promise that our students will not have to go to school fearing that they or their families will be torn apart,” said Mejia. “We stand united in advocating for every student’s right to learn free from fear and intimidation.”

A Shared Concern Across Campuses

Aaron Villarreal, Chair of the Cal State Student Association, echoed these sentiments, sharing the anxiety felt by students across the California State University system. “I have witnessed classmates and friends struggle with anxiety due to the fear of immigration enforcement on campus,” said Villarreal. “This anxiety is not unique to one campus—it’s shared across all 22 Cal State campuses. SB 98 ensures our schools remain spaces for learning, regardless of a student’s immigration status.”

Jerry Reyes, President of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), also expressed his support for the bill, underscoring its importance for community college students. “SB 98 is a critical step in protecting students and communities during a time of unprecedented federal overreach,” Reyes said. “We are thankful to Senator Pérez for her leadership on this important issue.”

Next Steps

As SB 98 heads to Governor Newsom’s desk, advocates are urging the Governor to sign the bill into law to ensure that California’s educational institutions remain safe spaces for all students, free from the threat of immigration enforcement. If signed, the SAFE Act will take effect immediately, providing a much-needed layer of protection for immigrant students and their families across the state.

SB98 press conference (Photo – Office of Sasha Renée Pérez)