Gavin Newsom Vetoes a First-In-The-Nation Attempt to Employ Undocumented Students

California’s public university campuses will not be opening campus jobs to undocumented students after Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected legislation to create such a mandate.

The Sunday veto avoids legal and political risks as it crushes the hopes of immigrant rights activists who have suffered a string of defeats this year.

The Democratic governor in his veto message said immigrant students’ access to higher education opportunities is “important for local communities and California’s economy,” but he warned of legal risks.

“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 wrote in his veto message.

Newsom has previously supported services and rights for undocumented Californians, including the expansion of the state’s health insurance system to include all eligible undocumented residents.

But he has now vetoed two proposals in short succession, including legislation that would have opened up state-supported home loans to undocumented people, as former President Donald Trump hits Vice President Kamala Harris over progressive California policies and immigration on the campaign trail.

The governor’s decision means thousands of students will continue to seek under-the-table pay at off campus jobs, compete for paid fellowships or forego income altogether as they complete their coursework. Undocumented students in California receive financial aid but many have been unable to work on campus since a federal judge closed applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2021.

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