2024 Legislative Recap: Progress and Challenges in Expanding Opportunities for Californians
This year, Immigrants Rising proudly supported three critical legislative efforts signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, expanding economic opportunities and enhancing access to an affordable college education for Californians. While these victories are cause for celebration, we also faced setbacks, as two crucial bills that could have furthered college affordability and work opportunities were vetoed by the governor.
SIGNED INTO LAW: Breaking Barriers for Undocumented Entrepreneurs
Governor Newsom signed AB 2543 (Arambula), co-sponsored by Immigrants Rising and the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative, a bill that enables undocumented entrepreneurs to obtain small business certification. This certification grants access to vital benefits, including bidding preferences and prompt payment on state contracts. Previously, undocumented business owners were excluded from these opportunities, limiting their ability to grow their businesses and depriving the state of innovation, additional productivity, and critical procurement opportunities. With Governor Newsom’s signature of AB 2543, undocumented entrepreneurs can now compete on a level playing field, unlocking their potential to contribute more fully to California’s economy.
SIGNED INTO LAW: Increasing College Affordability for Student Parents
Governor Newsom signed AB 2458 (Berman), a significant step toward supporting student parents as they strive to complete their college degrees. Co-sponsored by California Competes and the Education Trust-West, this bill ensures that student parents are identified during the application process and provided with an accurate total cost of attendance that includes childcare expenses. It also connects student parents with other available financial support resources. This targeted support will help student parents afford their education, stay enrolled, and ultimately achieve academic success — removing a significant barrier for this often-overlooked population.
SIGNED INTO LAW: Ensuring Access to Financial Aid for All Students
Governor Newsom signed AB 2165 (Reyes) which builds on efforts to support every high school student to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). This will ensure high school students can know and actively pursue the financial resources they need to go to college. AB 2165 requires high school counselors to communicate with students and their parents should a student decide to opt out of completing these financial aid applications. Counselors will communicate the value of completing the financial aid applications to secure the financial assistance families need for college expenses.
VETOED: Expanding Campus Employment for Undocumented Students
Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2586 (Alvarez) which would have granted undocumented students equal access to campus employment opportunities at the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges. Over 82,000 undocumented students are enrolled in a California public college or university, many without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) protections, leaving them ineligible for work authorization. Without campus employment, these students struggle to afford their education, lose out on essential career-building experiences, and, in the long run, are unable to help California’s demand for highly educated workers.
VETOED: Expanding the California College Promise for a Bachelor’s Degree
Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2093 (Santiago and Cervantes) which would have expanded the California College Promise Program by allowing qualifying students to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a California Community College campus, tuition-free. AB 2093 builds on the California College Promise, enacted in 2017, that provides an opportunity for all first-time, full-time community college students in the state to pursue an associate’s degree free from the burden of tuition and fees. This policy has enabled hundreds of thousands of community college students to access and achieve their higher education goals affordably.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
While we celebrate the progress made this legislative session, there is still much work to be done. The vetoed bills highlight the ongoing challenges undocumented students face in accessing equitable work opportunities and affordable higher education. Immigrants Rising remains committed to advocating for policies that break down barriers for all Californians, particularly those from immigrant communities.
As we move forward, we will continue to work alongside our partners to push for transformative change and create a more inclusive future — one where everyone, regardless of their immigration status, has access to opportunities that allow them to thrive.