Los Angeles, CA — A California appeals court has ruled that the University of California’s policy barring undocumented students from on-campus employment is discriminatory, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over immigrant rights in higher education.
The decision, issued this week, does not immediately force UC to change its hiring practices but mandates that the university reassess its policy within seven days, prohibiting it from relying solely on “litigation risk” as justification. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by UCLA alumnus Jeffry Umaña Muñoz and lecturer Iliana Perez, who argued the policy forces undocumented students into exploitative off-campus work while denying them equal academic and professional opportunities.
“As someone who was undocumented for 27 years, I intimately know the impact of these barriers,” said Perez, a vocal advocate for immigrant students. “They belong in our workforce and our future.”
UC officials stated they are reviewing the decision but stopped short of committing to policy changes. Spokesperson Stett Holbrook emphasized the university’s belief that undocumented students “deserve the same opportunities,” provided the law permits it.
Legal and Political Crossfire
The case hinges on conflicting interpretations of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which bars hiring undocumented workers. While UC attorneys warned of potential federal penalties—including lost funding or criminal charges—the court found the university’s fears insufficient to justify discrimination under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.
The ruling intensifies pressure on UC amid broader tensions over immigration and campus policies. It follows Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023 veto of the Opportunity for All Act, which sought to guarantee campus jobs for undocumented students, and coincides with the Trump administration withholding federal research funds from UCLA over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
The Human Toll
With DACA in limbo and new applications frozen since 2018, over 64,000 undocumented California students lack work authorization. Muñoz, now a legal resident, described the policy as a “glass ceiling” for peers still navigating legal limbo. “This isn’t just about paychecks,” he said. “It’s about dignity.”
The court’s decision leaves UC at a crossroads: comply with state anti-discrimination laws or risk federal backlash. For now, thousands of students await the university’s next move.
