California's University of California (UC) has been ordered to reconsider its policy banning students without legal status in the US from campus jobs, a ruling that the state Supreme Court let stand last week. The decision effectively means the university must revise its hiring protocol, despite concerns about potential financial and liability risks.
The case centers on a 2024 lawsuit that argued UC's "discriminatory policy" was in conflict with California state law. In August, a lower court ruled that UC had not provided sufficient evidence to justify excluding students without legal status from campus jobs. While the ruling did not overturn the hiring protocol, it ordered UC to reassess its policy using proper legal criteria.
However, instead of appealing the decision, UC took the case to the state Supreme Court, which declined to hear the challenge. The court's refusal to intervene has left officials with the university system in a precarious position as they navigate negotiations with the Trump administration following the withdrawal of federal research funds.
The policy has been criticized by advocates for undocumented immigrants, who argue that it prevents students without legal status from accessing on-campus employment and ultimately pursuing higher education. Without the ability to work, these students often struggle to raise enough money to cover tuition costs, housing, and living expenses.
UC officials claim that allowing such students to work on campus could expose employers to civil or criminal litigation, putting billions of dollars in federal contracts at risk. However, advocates say this argument ignores the harm caused by the policy, including forcing students into low-wage jobs under the table or in hazardous conditions.
The California Supreme Court's decision is seen as a significant victory for immigration advocates and supporters of UC students without legal status. Rachel Zaentz, a spokesperson for UC, stated that the court's refusal to review the case creates "serious legal risks" for the university system and other state employers.
The case centers on a 2024 lawsuit that argued UC's "discriminatory policy" was in conflict with California state law. In August, a lower court ruled that UC had not provided sufficient evidence to justify excluding students without legal status from campus jobs. While the ruling did not overturn the hiring protocol, it ordered UC to reassess its policy using proper legal criteria.
However, instead of appealing the decision, UC took the case to the state Supreme Court, which declined to hear the challenge. The court's refusal to intervene has left officials with the university system in a precarious position as they navigate negotiations with the Trump administration following the withdrawal of federal research funds.
The policy has been criticized by advocates for undocumented immigrants, who argue that it prevents students without legal status from accessing on-campus employment and ultimately pursuing higher education. Without the ability to work, these students often struggle to raise enough money to cover tuition costs, housing, and living expenses.
UC officials claim that allowing such students to work on campus could expose employers to civil or criminal litigation, putting billions of dollars in federal contracts at risk. However, advocates say this argument ignores the harm caused by the policy, including forcing students into low-wage jobs under the table or in hazardous conditions.
The California Supreme Court's decision is seen as a significant victory for immigration advocates and supporters of UC students without legal status. Rachel Zaentz, a spokesperson for UC, stated that the court's refusal to review the case creates "serious legal risks" for the university system and other state employers.
- so like, the UC in Cali got ordered 2 reconsider its policy on students w/o legal status workin on campus... it's like, kinda crazy! 
they took it 2 the state Supreme Court, but guess what? THEY WEREN'T HEARD 
now officials gotta figure out how 2 navigate this without losin all their federal research funds 
cuz it means these students can finally access on-campus jobs and stuff... but UC says it's a safety thing 
they don't wanna get sued or anything 
this policy has been around 4 like, ever... why r they still so scared? 
So like what's good here is that the Cal Supreme Court ruled in favor of those students without legal status being able to get jobs on campus, it's all about equality right? I mean, shouldn't they have the same opportunities as everyone else? 
. Like, if students are working low-wage jobs under the table, that's just bad for them and it's not cool. But we gotta think about the whole university thing too, like how much funding they'll lose from federal research grants 
. It's a tough one, but I'm glad some progress was made in this case 
I think this decision is super encouraging for all those students who are struggling to make ends meet because of their immigration status! 
It's crazy how some policies can have such a big impact on people's lives, you know? 
The fact that the California Supreme Court is now making UC reconsider its policy means there's hope for these students. They deserve access to education and opportunities just like anyone else! 
The idea that they're being forced into low-wage jobs or struggling financially because of this policy just doesn't seem fair to me. 
So here's to the California Supreme Court for making this change happen! 
. But at the same time, I can see how its a risk for the uni to have them workin' on campus... like what if they sue or somethin? 
Still, cant we just find a happy medium? Like, maybe give 'em some part-time job opportunities with proper pay and all that jazz 
! They're finally going to be able to get jobs on campus and not be stuck in these super hard financial situations 
. I mean, who doesn't want to work and learn at the same time? It's not fair that UC has been keeping them out of all those opportunities just because they don't have papers 
. And btw, what's up with the "harm" argument? Like, if students are working under the table or in bad conditions, it's not on the university's hands, right? They're just doing their job 
. I mean, I get it, they're worried about liability and all that jazz 
. And what's with the Trump admin withdrawing federal research funds? That's just a bunch of drama 
. Let's hope UC can get their act together soon 
!
. UC can't even handle a simple policy change without putting themselves in financial trouble. Like, what did they expect? The Trump administration is already taking away their research funds... now they're worried about lawsuits? Please, it's just a matter of time before some entitled student gets hurt on campus and the university is held accountable 
. And what's with UC's "logic" that allowing undocumented students to work on campus would put federal contracts at risk? That's just a weak excuse. They're just trying to avoid being seen as anti-immigrant, but deep down they know it's not about the money... it's about keeping those students in their place 
.
. If you're not allowed to work on campus, you're basically stuck in debt forever 
and restaurant staff 
- it's just part of life.
i'm literally so hyped 4 this decision!!! 