SB 48 Introduced by Senator Lena Gonzalez Limits Immigration Enforcement in Schools

SB 48 strengthens protections for students, families, and school staff by limiting how immigration authorities can interact with schools in California. It aims to make schools safe spaces where students can learn without fear of deportation or immigration raids.

Key Protections in the Bill:

Limits Immigration Enforcement on School Grounds

• School staff cannot allow immigration officers to:

  • Enter private (nonpublic) areas of the school.

  • Question a student on campus.

  • Conduct searches on school property.

• Exceptions: Immigration agents must show a valid court order or judicial warrant to be allowed access.

Documentation Required if Access Is Requested

• If immigration officers present a valid warrant:

  • School staff must ask for official ID and a written statement of purpose.

  • They must notify a school administrator immediately and follow their guidance before doing anything else.

No Access Without a Warrant

• If there’s no valid court order, schools must:

  • Deny access to the agents.

  • Document and witness the denial whenever possible.

  • Notify the school administrator right away.

Protects Student and Family Information

• Schools cannot share student or family info (like addresses, immigration status, travel routines, or records) with immigration agents without a court order.

• Applies to students, their families, and school staff.

Why This Law Matters:

• Nearly half of California’s children live in immigrant families.

• Fear of deportation has led to lower school attendance, which can reduce school funding.

• Immigration enforcement near schools has caused stress, anxiety, and poor academic performance for affected students.

• SB 48 reinforces that schools are not immigration enforcement zones — they are places for learning, safety, and inclusion.

Other Important Points:

• The Attorney General must provide schools with model policies to help them follow the law.

• The law is an “urgency statute,” meaning it takes effect immediately to protect families and maintain school funding.

Fear in the Classroom: LA Immigration Raids Keep Latino Students Home