UC Regents Reject Proposal to Hire Immigrant Students Without Legal Status

Decision Sparks Outrage Among Students, Vows to Continue Fight for Equality

The University of California (UC) regents have rejected a proposal to hire immigrant students who lack legal work authorization, citing potential legal risks.
UC President Michael V. Drake stated that the legal pathway proposed was not viable at this time and carries significant risk for the institution and those it serves.
The decision has sparked outrage among students, with some calling the regents 'cowards' and vowing to continue their fight for equality.
The proposal was based on a legal theory developed by UCLA scholars, asserting that the 1986 federal law barring employment of those without legal status does not apply to state entities such as UC.
About 44,000 students without DACA protections attend California colleges; about 4,000 of them attend UC.