September 3, 2025 - SACRAMENTO – SB 98, the SAFE Act, authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) would 
protect school communities in the face of heightened immigration enforcement, passed the Assembly and Senate on Monday. The legislation is now headed to Governor Newsom’s desk for his consideration.
The Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act requires K-12 schools and higher education institutions to issue alerts if immigration enforcement authorities are present on campus, similar to early warning systems in place for other campus emergencies.
“With students returning to school, this legislation is more important than ever,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “The SAFE Act will inform and protect immigrant students and their families on school campuses. In the face of mass deportations, raids and immigration enforcement authorities showing up at schools, the SAFE Act can help inform and empower school communities to make the best decisions about their safety and their family’s safety.”
This legislation includes an urgency clause, which means it would take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature instead of the normal enactment date of January 1.
“I urge Governor Newsom to sign the SAFE Act. Students and their families have been living in fear. California must ensure our schools and colleges remain places where students can learn, teachers can teach, and classrooms can be safe places for young Californians,” said Senator Pérez.
The SAFE Act is a California Latino Legislative Caucus priority bill. The legislation is sponsored by California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, University of California Student Association, California State Student Association, Student Senate for California Community Colleges, California Faculty Association, California State PTA, and GENup.
What SB 98 Sponsors are saying:
“Our immigrant families are living in fear and our time to act is limited. The school year has begun, and now is the time to make decisive efforts to protect our communities and maintain schools as a safe place for learning,” said State Superintendent Thurmond. “That’s why I am sponsoring SB 98, legislation that focuses on putting into place strong guardrails to protect our immigrant families from the cruelty and chaos of this current presidential administration. We have had parents and students already detained without due process at school sites in Southern California. Keeping our teachers, staff, and families informed, and requiring judicial warrants for immigration enforcement on school sites, is necessary to combat those actions.”
"On behalf of the UC Student Association and over 230,000 students across the UC system, we thank the Assembly for passing SB 98 and Senator Pérez for championing this bill through the Legislature," said Esther Mejia, UCSA Government Relations Chair. "As we approach the finish line for this important bill to protect immigrant students and families at our K-12 schools and colleges across the state, I am reminded that the SAFE Act is more than legislation—it is a promise: That our students will not have to go to school fearing that they or their families will be torn apart, a promise that our institutions will prioritize safety, dignity, and transparency, and a promise that we will stand up for every student’s right to learn free from intimidation and fear. We respectfully ask for the Governor's signature."
“As a current student at Sacramento State, I have witnessed classmates, colleagues, and friends struggle with anxiety and the fear of immigration enforcement roaming around campus,” said Aaron Villarreal, Chair, Cal State Student Association. “This anxiety is not unique to Sacramento State but is shared across all 22 campuses. That is why we were proud to co-sponsor this bill to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for all students, regardless of their immigration status, reaffirming that every undocumented student in California deserves to learn and succeed without fear.”
"SB 98 is a critical step in protecting our students and our communities at this time of unprecedented federal overreach," said Jerry Reyes, SSCCC President. "We are grateful to Senator Pérez for her leadership on this issue and for her commitment to supporting California Community College students across the state."
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.
Source: Senator Sasha Renée Pérez