Governor Signs AB 49 and SB 98: School Immigration Protections

(CALIFORNIA) Governor Gavin Newsom on September 20, 2025, signed two new laws—the California Safe Haven Schools Act, formally known as Assembly Bill 49, and Senate Bill 98—to curb immigration enforcement on campuses and strengthen privacy protections for students and school staff. The measures apply statewide and take effect ahead of a March 1, 2026 compliance deadline for local policies, with state officials positioning the package as a direct response to increased federal activity near schools and the rollback of earlier federal guidance.

At the center of the legislative push is a clear directive: keep immigration enforcement away from classrooms and school routines. AB 49 bars immigration officers from entering a “schoolsite” without a valid, judge-signed warrant, subpoena, or court order, unless another law requires entry. It also blocks local education agencies (LEAs) from sharing personal information about students, families, teachers, or staff with immigration authorities. SB 98 adds immediate notification rules and mandates that districts formalize and file their policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement on campuses. Together, the laws set new guardrails around K–12 schools, school-sponsored activities, and school transportation.

State officials and education leaders say the bills are aimed at keeping daily school life stable for children in immigrant households. The California Department of Education (CDE) released a companion toolkit to help districts implement the policies and communicate with families in plain language. According to the Urban Institute, one in two children in California have at least one immigrant parent, and 93% of children in mixed-status families are U.S. citizens—figures used by supporters to argue that school protections will reach a large share of the student population.

Supporters describe AB 49 as both a policy and a message. It reaffirms that every child has a constitutional right to a public education regardless of immigration status and requires that any federal immigration activity on school grounds meet a high legal standard. The law defines “schoolsite” broadly, covering classrooms, auditoriums, sports fields, buses, and off-campus events sponsored by the school. That broad scope is intended to end confusion over where protections apply.

Policy changes — what each bill requires

AB 49 (California Safe Haven Schools Act)

Key rules LEAs must follow to keep the school environment focused on learning:

• No entry by immigration enforcement officers without proper ID and a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order, unless required by another law.
• No sharing of personal information about students, family members, teachers, or staff with immigration authorities.
• Broad “schoolsite” definition that covers all campuses, school-sponsored events, and school transportation.
• Reaffirmation of students’ right to attend public school regardless of immigration status.

SB 98

Adds operational duties and filing requirements for school districts:

• Immediate notification must go to students, families, faculty, staff, and other school community members if an immigration enforcement agent is present on a schoolsite.
• LEAs must submit local policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement to the CDE by March 1, 2026.

Why the state acted now

The laws come after federal policy changes earlier in the year. California’s move followed the Trump administration’s rescission, in January 2025, of prior federal guidance that had kept schools off-limits to immigration enforcement. District leaders and immigrant families reported increased anxiety, and community groups said attendance dropped at some schools following news of immigration activity near campuses. The new state framework attempts to replace uncertainty with detailed rules districts can apply quickly and consistently.

The overall aim: keep school days predictable and classrooms focused on learning rather than enforcement.

CDE toolkit and district supports

The CDE’s toolkit—titled “Our Schools: Resources for Including Immigrant Families”—offers ready-to-use materials to support districts. It includes:

• Family-facing posters and informational cards that explain rights in simple terms.
• Guidance on best practices if agents appear at a schoolsite, plus privacy protection advice and Attorney General recommendations.
• Customizable templates for local use in English and Spanish, with more languages planned.
• Materials covering caregiver affidavits, updates to school safety plans, and links to additional resources.

School leaders are encouraged to place posters at entrances, front offices, and counselor spaces so families can see the information during drop-off, pick-up, and parent meetings. The toolkit is available on the CDE’s official page at Resources for Including Immigrant Families.

Practical effects for schools, staff, and families

Educators stress that clear rules help staff handle tense moments. Under SB 98, the “immediate notification” requirement means principals, teachers, and office staff need step-by-step procedures:

1. Who verifies a warrant.
2. Who contacts legal counsel.
3. How families are informed.
4. How classrooms are kept calm.

The laws also direct LEAs to put their policies in writing and file them with the CDE, elevating informal practices into formal, reviewable standards.

For families, the updates mean more clarity and less rumor. Schools must notify families right away if an immigration enforcement agent appears on a schoolsite, and they must do so in plain language. The laws also reinforce privacy protections by instructing LEAs not to share personal information with immigration authorities. Families can expect to see posters at entrances that explain these protections and provide contacts for more help.

Attorneys note that the “valid judicial warrant” standard in AB 49 draws a clear line: administrative requests or informal visits do not meet the threshold for entry. Staff should ask for identification and review documents before allowing agents on campus, unless another law requires access. Districts will likely assign specific administrators to handle these interactions so teachers can keep focus on students. The protections also apply to off-campus school events, like field trips, where staff may need to perform the same checks.

Recommended district actions and best practices

Districts are being urged to take the following practical steps:

• Post CDE toolkit materials in visible areas and on district websites.
• Train front office staff on how to handle requests for entry and how to verify court orders.
• Develop short, multilingual notices for rapid family outreach.
• Update safety plans and document procedures for “immediate notification.”
• Coordinate with community groups so families know where to find help.
• Conduct drills—similar to fire or earthquake drills—to practice verification and notification procedures.
• Brief school board members and parent advisory groups on the new rules and responsibilities.

Timeline and support

• LEAs must finalize written policies and submit them to the CDE by March 1, 2026.
• Districts are expected to train staff, translate materials, and include new rules in safety plans.
• The CDE will monitor submissions and offer technical help, especially to smaller LEAs with fewer resources.
• Larger districts may use in-house legal counsel while smaller ones rely more on the toolkit’s templates and CDE assistance.

Broader context and expected outcomes

California’s actions reflect a broader trend of state-level responses to shifting federal policy. By setting strict standards for entry and immediate notification, AB 49 and SB 98 place schools at the center of student safety policy.

Supporters—including immigrant rights groups, civil rights advocates, and several school districts—argue the laws will help rebuild trust in schools as safe spaces. They point to practical toolkit elements—phone scripts, checklists, and templates—that help staff respond without guessing under pressure. Counselors and family liaisons say those tools support students who may fear showing up at school. Reports indicate structured policies and communication tools can reduce absences and stabilize learning routines after incidents of federal activity near campuses.

Legal analysts note that the bills focus on school governance—who may enter, how and when to notify, and what student data schools can share—helping the laws fit within established state authority over public education.

For families across the state—especially many with mixed-status households—the message is straightforward: classrooms should be places for learning, not enforcement. For school workers, the new laws offer clear instructions that can be followed quickly when unexpected situations arise.