Newsom Signs Laws to Limit Immigration Raids on Schools and Hospitals

(CALIFORNIA) California Governor Gavin Newsom on September 20, 2025 signed five laws that immediately restrict how federal immigration agents operate at schools and hospitals, ban masks during enforcement actions, and require clear identification by federal officers. The package seeks to curb tactics associated with President Trump’s immigration enforcement approach and signals the state’s continued push to shield immigrant families from surprise raids at community hubs like campuses and clinics, according to the legislation’s sponsors and backers [1][2][3][5].

The new laws take effect right away and focus on three core areas: stopping immigration enforcement in sensitive places without a judge-approved warrant, forcing clear identification and transparency by federal agents, and protecting student and patient information from being shared without legal authority. State leaders say the measures aim to reduce fear among immigrant families, especially at schools where parents worry a routine day could turn into a deportation risk.

Newsom framed the bills as a defense of California’s values and as a check on federal overreach that, in his view, put children and vulnerable people at risk [3]. The laws build on years of lawsuits, local policies, and prior state acts that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities at the local level. Earlier in 2025, California set aside $50 million for the Department of Justice and legal groups to challenge federal immigration policies, efforts that supporters say led to more than 40 legal actions [1].

What the package does — Quick summary

• Stops immigration enforcement in sensitive locations (schools and hospitals) unless federal agents have a valid, judge-signed warrant or court order.
• Requires clear identification and transparency from federal officers during operations.
• Protects student and patient information from being shared with federal immigration authorities absent legal authority.
• Bans masks and face coverings for federal agents during operations in California to reduce secretive or intimidating tactics.

Policies signed by Newsom (details)

1. AB 49 — School Protection Act
   • Blocks immigration enforcement officers from entering school campuses without a valid warrant.
   • Bars schools from sharing student or family data with ICE.
   • Requires parental notification if immigration agents are on campus.
   • Effective immediately [2][5].
2. SB 81 — Healthcare Protection Act
   • Prevents immigration agents from entering treatment areas and facilities without a warrant or court order.
   • Effective immediately [2].
3. SB 627 — Mask ban for federal agents
   • Prohibits ICE, Border Patrol, and Homeland Security personnel from wearing masks or face coverings during operations in California.
   • Effective immediately [2][5].
4. SB 805 — No Vigilantes Act
   • Requires federal agents to clearly identify themselves during operations, reducing confusing or secretive tactics.
   • Effective immediately [2].
5. SB 98 — Parental Notification
   • Requires schools to notify parents and teachers when immigration agents are on campus.
   • Effective immediately [1][2].

Policy package at a glance

The laws center on “sensitive locations,” especially schools and hospitals, where families seek safety and care.

Under AB 49, schools must now:
– Prevent immigration enforcement officers from entering campus without a valid, judge-signed warrant.
– Avoid sharing student or family information with ICE.
– Notify parents, guardians, and teachers when immigration agents are present.

For healthcare sites, SB 81:
– Blocks immigration enforcement inside treatment areas unless agents hold a warrant or judicial order.
– Aims to ensure patients can seek care without fear that a hospital visit could trigger a raid.

SB 627 and SB 805 target federal agent conduct by:
– Banning masks and face coverings for federal agents during operations.
– Requiring officers to clearly identify themselves to boost accountability and reduce the appearance of secret operations.

SB 98 reinforces school-based alerts so families and staff receive official information when agents appear on campus.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these rules significantly narrow where and how federal agents can act in California, especially around children and people seeking medical help, while raising questions about how state directives interact with federal authority.

Political responses and context

Supporters point to years of aggressive immigration enforcement that they say blurred legal lines and created chaos in everyday places.

• Speaker Robert Rivas called federal immigration officers “secret police” terrorizing Californians, praising the laws for promoting transparency and safety [2].
• Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (Torrance) said keeping ICE out of schools is vital for a safe learning environment free of deportation fears [1].
• Cal State East Bay professor Nolan Higdon suggested Newsom appears ready for legal fights with the federal government, viewing the package as a strategic step ahead of future political battles [1].

California has a history of sanctuary-style rules and state-funded legal defenses, and earlier in 2025 allocated $50 million to challenge federal immigration policies, a move supporters say generated more than 40 legal actions [1].

Critics argue immigration is a federal function and state interference complicates national policy. Supporters counter that California’s steps don’t block federal law but set standards for conduct in state-controlled places like schools and hospitals.

Legal clash on the horizon

Even as these laws take effect, California acknowledges a legal gray zone: federal agents operate under federal law, not state law. The state expects pushback and possible non-compliance by federal agencies, which could force the courts to weigh in [1].

Backers say this is partly the point: by drawing firm red lines around AB 49 and SB 81 protections and imposing mask and ID rules in SB 627 and SB 805, lawmakers intend to force clarity on the boundary between state police powers and federal supremacy. The outcome will likely be months, if not years, of litigation.

The practical result: if federal agents enter a campus without a warrant, districts will face hard choices about refusing access while avoiding confrontation. If agents refuse to unmask or identify themselves, local officials may document incidents and pursue state enforcement or civil action — a path expected to go to court.

Practical impact — schools, clinics, and administrators

• Schools will need to:
  • Train staff on the warrant requirement.
  • Set up scripts and procedures for front office workers when agents appear.
  • Create and test plans to alert parents and teachers under SB 98.
• Hospitals and clinics should:
  • Reinforce procedures to verify warrants.
  • Secure patient data against unauthorized sharing.
  • Prepare staff to direct federal agents to legal channels when necessary.

For families, the notification rules aim to reduce panic and misinformation by ensuring official updates — rather than rumors — guide decisions about picking up children or skipping class. For medical staff, the healthcare provisions are intended to rebuild trust so patients won’t avoid care out of deportation fears.

Alignment with federal guidance and next steps

California officials say these steps mirror long-standing federal guidance on avoiding enforcement in sensitive locations and align with state interests in public safety and health.

To review federal guidance and the bill texts/statutory updates at the state level, readers can consult the California Legislative Information portal: California Legislative Information.

Contact for more information

For questions about the new laws and implementation, the Assembly’s Communications Director Nick Miller can be reached at:
– Phone: 916-319-2029
– Email: [email protected] [2]