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University of California must revisit policy that bars undocumented students from on-campus jobs, court rules
UCLA student Jeffry Umaña Muñoz urges U.C. Regents at 2023 meeting to adopt plan to open university jobs to students who are undocumented.
(
Courtesy of UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy
)
Topline:
The University of California must rethink its policy that bars students who are undocumented from working on campus, a state appeals court ruled Aug. 5.
What does this mean? The University of California doesn’t have to reverse its policy, but it must reconsider it. It’s unclear whether officials will make any changes.
UC officials say: “The University of California is reviewing the court’s ruling on hiring undocumented students,” a UC spokesperson said. “To the extent it’s compliant with the law, the University continues to believe undocumented students deserve the same opportunities as our other students.”
Background: Last October, immigrant rights groups filed a lawsuit against the UC system, arguing that the university discriminated against students who are undocumented.
The lawsuit came following two blows to undocumented student workers. In January 2024, UC officials rejected a proposal to open up jobs to students who are undocumented. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have done the same.
Why it matters: Hiroshi Motomura, law professor at UCLA, said the court’s order is a significant victory for the movement to open up employment opportunities for UC students regardless of their immigration status. “The main thing is to create a level playing field for people to apply and to be considered,” he told LAist.
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