California Court Rules UC Hiring Ban for Undocumented Students Discriminatory

The California Court of Appeals ruled that the University of California system violates state law by refusing to hire undocumented students for on-campus jobs. A three-judge panel found the university's employment policy to be facially discriminatory based on immigration status.

The court rejected the university's argument that the ban was necessary to avoid legal action from the federal government under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. While the ruling requires the university to reconsider its policy based on proper criteria, the court clarified that it does not mandate the hiring of undocumented students.

The lawsuit was brought by the University of California Los Angeles Center for Immigration Law and Policy. The decision follows a 2024 veto by Governor Gavin Newsom of legislation that would have permitted the hiring of undocumented immigrants. Legal fellows from the Heritage Foundation and the Center for Immigration Studies criticized the ruling, arguing that federal law prohibits the hiring of illegal immigrants and that the state court's decision undermines federal authority.