California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newson rejected an effort on Sunday to allow public universities in the state to employ illegal migrant students.
Newsom vetoed AB 2586, legislation that, if signed into law, would’ve prohibited California’s public university campuses from disqualifying a student from being hired because of their immigration status. The governor cited the potential legal consequences of the bill in his veto message, and called on the courts to address the legality of the policy before moving forward.
“Given the gravity of the potential consequences of this bill, which include potential criminal and civil liability for state employees, it is critical that the courts address the legality of such a policy and the novel legal theory behind this legislation before proceeding,” Newsom stated Sunday. ”
“Seeking declaratory relief in court — an option available to the University of California — would provide such clarity,” the governor continued.
Democratic Assemblymember David Alvarez introduced AB 2586 in February, arguing that securing pathways for employment for undocumented students was essential. The California legislature lists 21 sponsors for the bill — all of them are Democrats.
The legislation passed the state House and state Senate largely along party lines, although several Republican lawmakers did vote in favor of the bill in both chambers.
In a statement via an X post late Sunday, Alvarez called Newsom’s veto a “profound disappointment.”
“Students who are legally allowed to study at California’s public colleges and universities should also be allowed to work to pay for their own education” the San Diego Democrat said. “The students who worked together to bring this bill to the legislature will continue to fight for it, and I will stand with them, along with the Latino caucus.”
The veto marks the second time in short order Newsom has shot down legislation introduced by members of his own party that sought to provide extra privileges to the state’s illegal migrant population.
The Democratic governor earlier this month vetoed a bill that would’ve made illegal migrants living in California eligible to apply for taxpayer-funded home loans. That bill, AB 1840, sought to make undocumented migrants eligible for a state program that provides first-time homebuyers with taxpayer-funded home loans, an initiative known as the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan program, which currently provides up to 20% of a house’s purchase price for down payment or closing cost to approved applicants.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screen Capture/ABC7 News Bay Area)
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