Over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 98 into law, targeting immigration officers entering school zones.

The bills, sponsored by California Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond, seek to keep immigration enforcement off school campuses and ensure students and families are informed if agents are present.

“I am proud to have sponsored and supported the passage of AB 49 and SB 98 to keep ICE and immigration enforcement away from our school campuses without a judge’s authorization,” said Thurmond. “The reckless actions of the Trump administration have sown fear and trauma throughout California school communities.”

Said Newsom, referencing President Donald Trump and Stephen Miller, the chief architect of mass deportations: “Public safety depends on trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve — but Trump and Miller have shattered that trust and spread fear across America. California is putting an end to it and making sure schools and hospitals remain what they should be: places of care, not chaos.”

In late January, the Trump administration rescinded protections from immigration enforcement at schools, healthcare facilities and places of worship.

Since then, there have been multiple incidents involving ICE on or near school grounds.

The federal agents have set off flashbang grenades within earshot of schoolyards, urinated on a playground area, asked for direct contact with children without a warrant or parent permission, and used school drop-off as an opportunity to detain parents, according to the California Department of Education.

The possibility of deportation of relatives and family separation has placed significant stress and fear on students and families who comprise a massive portion of California.

The Urban Institute says that one in two children in California have at least one parent who is an immigrant and 93% of the children in mixed-status families are U.S. citizens.

Fresno Unified Already Prepared

Fresno Unified has been preparing to support students and families on immigration related concerns since November 2024.

The increased prevalence of immigration agents has been a point of concern for local Hispanic residents — a demographic targeted by ICE.

The local community has held multiple protests opposing the deportations, including a student-led walk-out at Fresno Unified schools.

Fresno Unified has shown support for AB 49 and SB 98 in School Board communications.

“We have strong policies and protocols already in place to ensure our schools continue to be safe spaces where learning comes first,” district spokesperson Diana Diaz said. “If immigration enforcement were ever to impact our campuses, we are prepared to communicate swiftly and clearly with our staff and families to ensure they are informed and supported.”

This mirrors policies now state-wide with the signing of AB 49 and SB 98.

AB 49 & SB 98 go into Effect

AB 49 prohibits school employees from allowing immigration authorities to enter a non-public area of a school site without being presented with a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, or a court order.

SB 98 requires communication to pupils, families, faculty, staff, and other school community members if an immigration enforcement agent is present on a school campus.

To support immediate implementation of the new legislation, CDE has published Our Schools: Resources for Including Immigrant Families.

This provides a toolkit of family-facing posters and informational cards that communicate all schools’ obligation to provide every child with access to education and a safe learning environment, regardless of immigration status.

Additionally, the state is requiring all local education agencies to make local polices regarding immigration enforcement available to the CDE by March 1.