Relevant State Laws

This page summarizes key California laws that guide how �� responds to immigration enforcement activity and how we protect the rights, privacy, and safety of our campus community.

SB 54

, also known as the California Values Act, limits how state and local law enforcement — including university police departments — engage with federal immigration enforcement. The law ensures that public institutions do not use state resources to assist with immigration enforcement except in narrowly defined situations involving specific serious or violent crimes.

Key provisions include:

Prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using personnel or resources for immigration enforcement, such as investigating, questioning, detaining, or arresting someone based solely on immigration status.
Restricting access to nonpublic areas, preventing immigration authorities from entering campus spaces without a judicial warrant.
Barring the disclosure of non-public personal information (such as home/work address or release dates) unless required by law.
Limiting transfers to immigration authorities, which may occur only with a judicial warrant or in specific circumstances defined in statute.
Requiring transparency and reporting when law enforcement agencies participate in joint task forces that involve federal partners.

AB 21

(AB 21) is a California law that provides protections for students, faculty, and staff in the event of federal immigration enforcement activity on college and university campuses. The law ensures that campuses:

Do not grant immigration officers access to nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant.
Direct any immigration officer to designated campus officials to verify the legality of warrants or court orders.
Limit the disclosure of personal information about students, faculty, and staff except when legally required.
Designate a point of contact for individuals affected by immigration enforcement.
Maintain a free list of immigration legal service providers.
Notify the emergency contact of any student, faculty, or staff member taken into custody due to immigration enforcement.
Post and regularly share the campus policy on immigration enforcement response.
Support students whose studies are disrupted—including helping them retain financial aid, campus benefits, and the ability to reenroll when able.

SB 98

The Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act, or , requires schools, colleges, and universities to notify their campus community when federal immigration enforcement activity is confirmed on campus.

Key provisions include:

Campuses must issue a notification with the date, time, and location of the confirmed activity, along with a link to information and support resources. Notifications must not include personally identifiable information.
“Immigration enforcement” is defined broadly and includes both active enforcement activity, such as arrests, detentions, or service of warrants, and standard compliance visits, such as routine inquiries or verification processes.
Notifications must be issued in a manner that prioritizes campus safety and well-being.
SB 98 remains in effect until January 1, 2031, unless extended by future legislation.

At ��: When immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus, the campus community will receive both an email and a text message alert.

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