California Student Job Bill | What Happens After AB 713

A New Legislative Push for Undocumented Student Employment

The California Legislature has officially sent Assembly Bill 713 to Gov. Gavin Newsom, marking a major legislative pivot regarding campus employment. The bill mandates that public higher education institutions, including the University of California, California State University, and community college systems, stop disqualifying students from campus jobs based on a lack of federal work authorization. This policy change would take effect on January 6 if the governor signs the proposal into law.

Last year, Governor Newsom vetoed a nearly identical version of this legislation. At the time, his administration cited concerns over potential federal legal challenges. Since that veto, the legal terrain has shifted. The California Supreme Court recently upheld a ruling determining that barring undocumented students from state employment opportunities constitutes discriminatory practice. Supporters of the bill argue this judicial confirmation removes the primary barrier that stalled the policy in 2024. Assemblymember José Solache Jr., the bill's author, stated that the state must lead in defending this student population with clear policy and humanity.

Economic Barriers and the Case for Equal Access

Proponents of AB 713 argue that campus employment provides more than just a paycheck. It allows students to gain professional experience while staying on campus, which is critical for those balancing tuition and basic living costs. Currently, many undocumented students are forced to find work in the off-campus, informal economy to cover rent and school fees. Supporters believe this exposes them to unsafe working conditions and financial instability that impacts their academic performance.

Data from the California Student Aid Commission shows a decline in aid applications for undocumented and mixed-status students between the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic cycles. This dip occurs as national immigration enforcement intensifies. Student groups including the UC Student Association and the Cal State Student Association are backing the bill as a necessary correction to the existing inequities. Yancy Garcia, a student at UC Irvine, noted that while the California Dream Act offers some aid, it does not cover all essential living expenses, nor does it replace the professional development gained through campus-based roles.

Legal Risks and the Road Ahead

While the bill moves forward, the issue remains polarized. Republican lawmakers have consistently opposed the measure, citing federal prohibitions on hiring undocumented noncitizens. The central legal argument supporting the bill relies on the interpretation that federal hiring bans do not explicitly target state government entities, including public universities. A 2022 memo from the UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy supports this reading of the law. Still, the reality of implementation carries weight.

Both the UC and CSU systems have acknowledged that the legislation could introduce significant legal costs and risks. During earlier versions of the bill, university officials expressed fears that such a change could lead to the loss of federal grants or even jeopardize the safety of students if federal authorities intervened. Despite these stated concerns, the university systems have not taken an official stance of opposition against the current text of AB 713. If signed, the state will be entering a new, untested area of labor policy, challenging federal authority in a way that will likely draw immediate scrutiny from Washington.