California Lawmakers Pass Bills Requiring Parental Notification of Immigration Enforcement at Schools

California lawmakers on Wednesday approved two urgency measures that would require schools to notify families when immigration enforcement officers are present on campus, aiming to protect immigrant students and restore trust in educational institutions. 

Senate Bill 98, authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), mandates that K-12 schools and higher education institutions immediately alert students, parents, faculty and staff when immigration enforcement is confirmed on school grounds. Assembly Bill 49, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and co-authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), prohibits immigration officers from entering nonpublic areas of school campuses without proper identification, a judicial warrant or written District approval. 

Both bills include urgency clauses, allowing them to take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Oct. 12 to act. 

The legislation follows a widely publicized incident on Aug. 11, when a 15-year-old student with disabilities was mistakenly detained by federal immigration agents outside Arleta High School in Los Angeles. “He was not an adult. He’s a 15-year-old boy with significant disabilities. This cannot happen,” said Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. 

Pérez said the SAFE Act is designed to “inform and protect immigrant students and their families on school campuses.” She added, “In the face of mass deportations, raids and immigration enforcement authorities showing up at schools, the SAFE Act can help inform and empower school communities to make the best decisions about their safety and their family’s safety.” Pérez also noted, “The presence of immigration enforcement officers can have detrimental effects on students — especially those who may be undocumented or otherwise without permanent status.” 

Muratsuchi drew attention to the bipartisan precedent for keeping schools free from immigration enforcement. “Students cannot learn unless they feel safe. For decades we had a bipartisan agreement to keep educational institutions, schools, campuses, free from immigration enforcement activities,” he said. 

California is home to an estimated 1.8 million undocumented immigrants, representing roughly 4.6% of the state’s population. The Los Angeles Unified School District serves approximately 30,000 immigrant students, with nearly a quarter lacking legal status. 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond voiced strong support for the bills. “No one should ever be afraid to go to school. But that’s what’s been created in this climate,” he said. In a June statement responding to federal immigration raids, Thurmond added, “My message to President Trump is very clear: keep your hands off California’s kids. The President’s unchecked, unnecessary deployment of our nation’s military to the city of Los Angeles is deeply dangerous for our children, for our families, and for our country.” 

Not all residents support the legislation. “I don’t think they should be alerting parents about ICE being in the area, because they’re interfering with the law,” said Horatio Gonzalez of Rialto. “If you’re an illegal here in America, I don’t think you should be here.” 

If signed into law, SB 98 and AB 49 would reinforce California’s commitment to treating schools as safe havens, ensuring that families are informed and protected when federal immigration activity occurs on campus.