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Senate committee adopts resolution backing immigrant students and urging FAFSA protections
Summary
ACR 40, a resolution expressing legislative support for immigrant and mixed-status students and urging protections for FAFSA data, passed the Senate Education Committee by unanimous voice vote. Student leaders testified about fear and declines in FAFSA applications.
The Senate Education Committee unanimously adopted ACR 40, a nonbinding resolution affirming the legislature’s support for immigrant students and urging protections for personal information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Assemblymember Fong presented the resolution and outlined California’s large foreign-born population and the problem of declining FAFSA applications. The author stated that recent technical issues and fear that federal agencies could use self-reported data have contributed to an application drop, and said the resolution “expresses the legislature’s support for our immigrant students in California regardless of citizen status.”
Multiple student representatives testified in support. AJ Matthews, representing the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, described how fear of immigration enforcement and data sharing has caused students to reduce course loads or avoid applying for aid. Kevin Bibiano of the University of California Student Association said a decline in FAFSA and CADAA (California Dream Act Application) submissions has been observed and cited studies linking immigration enforcement to lower school participation.
Higher-education advocates and system representatives—including the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and the California Student Aid Commission—also voiced support and offered technical assistance.
Committee members praised the resolution’s message of support; Senator Laird moved the resolution and members voted to adopt ACR 40. The committee placed the resolution on call.
