Honoring the Legacy of AB 540 by Leading & Engaging in College Access & Affordability Efforts
This October marked the 24th anniversary of California’s in-state tuition policy becoming state law. Assembly Bill (AB) 540 by the late Assemblymember Marco Antonio Firebaugh was signed into law by then-Governor Gray Davis on October 12, 2001, after a hard-fought advocacy effort led by undocumented youth and allies. This landmark legislation set the foundation for the advancement of subsequent statewide policies such as the California Dream Act and the California DREAM Loan program.
The 24th anniversary of AB 540 was extra special in light of the recent attacks and attempts by the federal government to dismantle in-state tuition policies. The stakes for immigrant students—and for California’s workforce—could not be higher. On November 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against California. As we prepare to defend AB 540, the California Dream Act, and the DREAM Loan program, Immigrants Rising is proud to have led and engaged in various efforts this fall that uplifted the urgent need to defend and equitably implement existing policies. We look forward to continuing to advance initiatives that make postsecondary education accessible to all Californians.
A Powerful Call to Action
Executive Director Iliana G. Perez, Ph.D., authored a powerful opinion editorial on The Sacramento Bee titled, “California must preserve in-state tuition policy for immigrant students,” where she underscores that defending California’s in-state tuition policy is necessary to upholding equitable access to higher education and strengthening our economy. Dr. Perez’s op-ed also acknowledges how student voices have been central—and continue to be—to California’s in-state tuition policy win.
Far-Reaching Digital Campaign
To commemorate AB 540’s 24th anniversary, when in-state tuition policies are under attack, Immigrants Rising led a digital campaign that uplifted the importance of continuing to build education policies inclusive of and protecting immigrant students, and urged California educators, practitioners, advocates, and policymakers to stand their ground in defending the policy. This digital campaign reached nearly 20,000 individuals and included social media graphics with calls to action directing the public to utilize the Championing Equity: Systemwide AB 540 FAQ and sign up for future engagement opportunities.
Centering and Uplifting Undocumented Student College Affordability
Immigrants Rising staff were proud to join various partner convenings this fall to share resources, best practices, and policy opportunities with practitioners that make access to higher education a reality for students, regardless of immigration status. In particular, Immigrants Rising’s Policy Advocacy Senior Manager Daniela R. was a panelist at the 2025 Californians for College Affordability Coalition Fall Convening. Interim Director of Higher Education Madeleine V. also served as a panelist at the California Student Aid Commission’s 2025 California College Affordability Summit Breakout Session, “Bridging the FAFSA/CADAA Gap for Vulnerable Families & Underrepresented Students.” Both Madeleine and Daniela also joined this year’s Joint Policy Convening hosted by the College Futures Foundation and Stupski Foundation: “Meeting the Moment: Policy, Partnership, and Purpose.”
Lastly, this fall, Immigrants Rising’s Higher Education team led a Promising Practice Roundtable on supporting undocumented students through a support ecosystem, and co-led a webinar series with First Gen Empower and the Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN) for practitioners advising undocumented and mixed-status students.
Interim Director of Higher Education Madeleine V. presenting at CSAC’s 2025 California College Affordability Summit Breakout Session “Bridging the FAFSA/CADAA Gap for Vulnerable Families & Underrepresented Students.”
Policy Advocacy Senior Manager Daniela R., with members of the Californians for College Affordability Coalition, at the 2025 Fall Convening hosted by The Institute for College Access and Success.
Madeleine V. and Daniela R. at the Joint Policy Convening hosted by the College Futures Foundation and Stupski Foundation on “Meeting the Moment: Policy, Partnership, and Purpose.”
