Students protest the presence of ICE agents on campus at Arizona State University on April 3, 2025, in Tempe.
Sacramento, California – In a rare move crossing party lines, Republican gubernatorial candidate Kyle Langford has announced his support for a Democratic-backed bill that would bar federal immigration authorities from operating on California school campuses without a judicial warrant.
Langford told Newsweek he endorses Senate Bill 48 because “children should feel no fear of going to school under any circumstances.” The legislation, introduced by Democrats, would prohibit school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools from allowing immigration enforcement access to campuses without proper legal documentation. It would also safeguard student records and personal information from being released to immigration authorities without court authorization.
Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded its enforcement activities, alarming many immigrant families. Though a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo reversed policies allowing raids in sensitive locations like schools, concerns remain high, particularly after DHS agents attempted to contact undocumented students at two Los Angeles elementary schools in April. School officials blocked their entry, citing the lack of a judicial warrant.
Langford, a San Jose native and former California First PAC executive director, emphasized that while he supports law enforcement, protecting children from fear must be the priority. “Law enforcement has alternative methods to monitor undocumented individuals, and I will empower them with accurate data to do their job,” Langford said.
His stance contrasts sharply with other California Republicans, who argue that SB48 is a political distraction. “Rather than focusing on what the state can do to keep Californians safe, Democrat legislators are once again prioritizing national political fights,” Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho defended the policy, asserting, “No federal agency has the authority, short of a judicial warrant, to enter our schools. We will protect our kids. We will educate our kids.”
Under SB48, school officials would be prohibited from producing students for questioning, consenting to searches, or granting campus access to immigration agents without a court order.
As the 2026 California gubernatorial election approaches, Langford’s break from traditional party lines could reshape the race. “Creating undue fear and anxiety within California’s schools is completely unacceptable,” Langford added, reinforcing his message that schools must remain safe havens for all children.
