Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Assembly approves urgency bill to declare schools safe havens amid federal immigration enforcement changes
Summary
The California Assembly passed AB 49, an urgency measure to designate public schools as safe havens and limit school staff cooperation with certain federal immigration actions; the vote was 59-9 after a heated floor debate over legal risk and student safety.
The California State Assembly on May 14 passed AB 49, an urgency bill that seeks to designate public schools as safe havens for immigrant students and restrict certain cooperation by school staff with federal immigration enforcement. The measure passed on a 59-9 roll call.
Supporters said the bill responds to recent federal policy changes and to incidents in which immigration agents entered schools. “We should do everything we can to make sure that schools are safe learning places for all kids, including our immigrant kids,” said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, the bill’s primary author, urging members to vote "aye." He described schools as vital safe spaces and emphasized support from teachers, principals, superintendents and the California State PTA.
Opponents warned of legal exposure and potential loss of federal funding. "Why are we putting our teachers, our school staff in legal jeopardy? This is unconscionable," said Assemblymember De Maio, calling the bill “fear mongering” and arguing there is no evidence of ICE raids targeting children in schools. De Maio said the bill’s language could criminalize compliance with a duly issued federal warrant and expose districts to civil or criminal penalties.
Several other members recounted local incidents and urged passage. "Immigration officials came to Lillian Street and Russell Elementary Schools in South Central Los Angeles," said Assemblymember El Hawari, describing visits she said were misrepresented as "wellness checks." "It's real life. It's every day. It's how they feel going to school when their parents drop them off," she said.
Assemblymember Carrillo, a principal coauthor, said the bill protects immigrant communities and preserves access to education. Assemblymember Ortega said schools and staff were prepared to act when agents arrived without warrants and that resources invested in training helped protect students. Supporters pointed to drops in enrollment in some districts with high percentages of immigrant students as a concern linked to fear of enforcement.
The bill includes language that, according to debate, would make it a violation of state law for a school district employee to comply with a duly issued federal warrant under specified circumstances; members debated how that provision would interact with federal law and whether it could subject local staff or districts to penalties. The bill carried an urgency clause, requiring 54 votes to take effect immediately; the Assembly recorded 59 ayes and 9 noes on the measure.
Implementation questions and legal risk were highlighted during floor debate. Opponents said the measure could risk federal funding and subject local employees to civil or criminal sanction; supporters said the bill does not criminalize schools for protecting students and emphasized district-led training and local safeguards.
AB 49 passed the Assembly on May 14 by a 59-9 vote and will proceed as required by legislative process for any urgency measure.
The Assembly discussion took place during the daily floor session; public comment was not part of this vote. The measure’s supporters included school administrators and the California State PTA; the transcript records direct appeals from members who described local incidents in Los Angeles Unified School District.
Outcome: AB 49 approved, urgency measure invoked; roll call 59-9.
