2026 California Policy Recap

(Updated October 19, 2026) — For Immigrants Rising, 2026 marked three milestones: our 20th anniversary, 25 years of AB 540, and Governor Gavin Newsom’s final year in office. To build on that history and prepare for a new administration, we released our California Blueprint for Immigrant Socioeconomic Prosperity earlier this year. The state legislative and budget proposals we engaged with this year put that agenda into action, and below is a summary of how they fared.

Economic Mobility:

  • $10.8 million for SEED 4.0: Co-sponsored by the Economic Mobility for All Coalition, Immigrants Rising, California Immigrant Policy Center, Inclusive Action for the City, and Democracy at Work Institute, and championed by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo and Senator Josh Becker, the 2026 State Budget Act included an increased one-time investment of $10.8 million for a fourth round of the SEED Program. This budget investment will enable community-based organizations to provide entrepreneurship training, technical assistance, and microgrants to immigrants, individuals with limited English proficiency, and other qualifying Californians with significant barriers to employment.
  • AB 1679 (Gonzalez, Mark): Signed into law, this bill will require cities and counties to allow pop-up small businesses to operate on a temporary basis in an eligible commercial space without requiring the full process required for permanent occupancy.
  • AB 2271 (Garcia): Held in committee, this bill would have established the Immigration Enforcement Emergency Relief Program to support individuals who experience a loss of earned income caused by harmful actions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • SB 1132 (Smallwood-Cuevas): Held in committee, this bill would have required the California Workforce Development Board to develop and implement a workplace rights curriculum in partnership with subject matter experts.

Higher Education:

  • $71 million for Dreamer Resource Liaisons ​​and student support services at California Community Colleges included in the 2026 State Budget Act.
  • $75 million to establish the High School Dream Resource Center Grant Program included in the 2026 State Budget Act. This funding will help finally implement AB 278, by then-Assemblymember Reyes in 2023, and ensure that immigrant students get the targeted resources and support services they need before entering college or university.
  • AB 1871 (Fong): Signed into law, this bill will expand equitable access to dual enrollment by reducing long-standing student-level barriers & streamlining participation.
  • AB 1920 (Gonzalez, Mark): Signed into law, this bill prohibits a community college from deeming a student ineligible for a fee waiver under the California College Promise program if a student was awarded a certificate by a postsecondary educational institution as part of a course sequence leading to an associate degree.
  • AB 713 (Solache): Sponsored by the Opportunity for All Coalition, of which Immigrants Rising is a member, AB 713 was vetoed by Governor Newsom and would have ensured that all students, regardless of immigration status, were given equal access to campus jobs at the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges (CCC).
  • SB 1006 (Padilla): Held in committee, this bill would have modified the Cal Grant B access award amounts and provided annual increases based on the California Consumer Price Index.
  • SB 1101 (Perez): Held in committee, this bill would have required the California State University, community college districts, and independent institutions of higher education, and requested the University of California, to notify faculty, staff, and students if their personal information is shared with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Looking Ahead:

We are grateful to every person who shared their story to build momentum for immigrant opportunity across California. We look forward to working with community members, partners, and returning and incoming policymakers to advance the Blueprint’s recommendations.

Join our efforts to ensure that every Californian, regardless of immigration status, can achieve economic mobility:

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