Individuals formerly or currently employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not be able to work for California school systems, including Cal Poly, if a new assembly bill passes through the legislature.
Rep. Anamarie Avila Farias, from California’s 15th district, introduced AB 1627 to the Assembly on Jan. 21. The bill, titled “MELT ICE,” focuses on restricting former ICE employees from serving as peace officers or educators in the state. This includes positions such as Campus Police and Transportation Services.
The law would apply to any previous or currently employed ICE agent and would disqualify them from working in any California school systems, including Cal Poly. Farias’s bill is not the first in California working to combat ICE. State Sen. Scott Weiner recently introduced a bill that makes it easier for residents to sue ICE if they feel ICE has violated their rights.
Farias’s proposal comes in light of ICE’s increased presence across the United States. In recent weeks, the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of ICE agents have sparked outrage in communities nationwide.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has consistently denounced ICE, and said, “Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.”
Tom Schilling, a construction management freshman, supports the proposal.
“ICE agents who have joined recently and even those who have tenure uphold a system of oppression that has no place in our schools or our communities,” Schilling said.
According to a recent UCLA report, nine out of 10 people detained by ICE are Latin American. For the first time in history, Cal Poly reports that 25% of its students are Latinx.
READ MORE: Hispanic/Latino enrollment hit 25% for the first time
Diego Castillo, political science freshman, also weighed in on the legislation.
“The law adds some much needed retribution against agents who voluntarily are choosing to work for an inherently oppressive force,” Castillo said. “While it doesn’t solve the root problem with ICE and the system, it’s a step in the right direction that can definitely protect children in schools from people who are not morally fit to be around them.”
The law is still in the early stages but could be heard by the Assembly as soon as Feb. 26. It would then need the Senate’s approval and Gov. Newsom’s signature to be placed into effect.