Newsom Vetoes California Bill to Allow Undocumented Students Campus Jobs, Citing Federal Retaliation Risks
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 713, which would have mandated that public universities and community colleges offer employment to undocumented students. In a veto message issued last month, Newsom cited concerns that the federal government might retaliate against state institutions for implementing the measure. This decision contrasts with his recent aggressive legislative stance against federal immigration enforcement, including signing laws to ban masked ICE agents and restricting enforcement tactics. The veto leaves undocumented students without guaranteed access to campus jobs, despite a favorable court ruling against the University of California’s previous hiring ban. Advocates argue the move leaves students vulnerable, while Newsom prioritized protecting state institutions from potential federal retribution.