University of California considers work opportunities for undocumented students; University of California moves toward hiring undocumented students despite federal law

University of California considers work opportunities for undocumented students:

The University of California is working on a plan to allow undocumented students who lack work permits employment opportunities on its 10 campuses — heading into what many believe to be legally questionable waters.

The UC Board of Regents voted unanimously Thursday to form a working group who will explore a potential path forward that would enable the university to hire students without papers, the Los Angeles Times reported. The group plans to come up with a plan of action by November.

“Absolutely, it is our intention to find a way to allow employment opportunities for all our students, regardless of their immigration status,” said Regent John Pérez, according to the paper.

However, he added that time is needed to work out the potential legal risks and kinks in the plan.

“This is too important to get wrong,” Pérez said.

The Regents must factor in a likely influx of court challenges should they move forward with the plan as a Reagan-era federal law prohibits employers from hiring people who don’t have the work authorization in the US.

A group of progressive legal scholars and students at the university however said that the 1986 law called the “Immigration Reform and Control Act” doesn’t apply to states — and therefore state entities — because it doesn’t explicitly name them. —>READ MORE HERE

University of California moves toward hiring undocumented students despite federal law:

The University of California (UC) system is moving toward hiring undocumented students for student-employment positions despite federal law banning the practice.

UC President Michael Drake and Board of Regents Chair Richard Leib said in a statement on Thursday that the board has appointed a working group that will consider relevant issues to ensuring all students have employment opportunities regardless of the immigration status. The group will develop an implementation plan and legal strategy by November and whether, how and when to take the next steps.

“The University is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their immigration status, can pursue and attain a world-class UC education,” they said. “This should include providing enriching student employment opportunities to all students.”

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 established civil and criminal penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants and those not authorized to work in the United States.

But the Los Angeles Times reported that UCLA legal scholars have developed a theory that the law does not specifically apply to states and state entities like UC.

Regent John Perez told the outlet that UC will need time to figure out how to implement its plan, saying “this is too important to get wrong.” —>READ MORE HERE

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