Pérez decries California college campus recruitment of ICE agents
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, UplandPasadena) this week decried Cal Poly Pomona’s initial plan to allow federal immigration enforcement authorities to recruit at an on-campus career fair before deciding to postpone the event:
Pérez said her office received several student reports that Cal Poly Pomona would be hosting ICE on campus during a career fair. In response, her office contacted the CSU system to inquire about this event. Since then, administrators have confirmed that the event has been postponed.
“I understand the community’s outrage about ICE being allowed on campus for a career fair. ICE should have no place on our campuses, and certainly should not be given space to recruit people to join their cruel, terror squad,” said Pérez.
“As the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, ensuring all students feel safe on college and university campuses is a priority to me. This is why I’ve authored SB 98, the SAFE Act, in partnership with student leaders to ensure students and campus communities are informed if immigration enforcement authorities show up on campus,” the lawmaker added.
Rodriguez reaffirms support for her bill protecting families
Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando, Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta) responded to recent San Francisco Chronicle coverage highlighting how opponents of Assembly Bill 495 are spreading misinformation about her legislation.
The article in question highlighted how some religious right wing organizations think the bill, AB 495, could encourage human trafficking
“AB 495 is about one thing: keeping families together,” said Rodriguez. “It strengthens the ability of parents to make decisions for their children, empowers them to prepare for the unthinkable, and ensures kids are cared for by people they know and love. I am proud to stand with immigrant families, child advocates, and parent groups across California who know the truth about this bill. The claims from opponents are simply false and dangerous. No family should ever be torn apart because of immigration enforcement or misinformation.”
Rodriguez authored AB 495 after hearing from immigrant families and reflecting on her own family’s story of separation. The legislation builds on a tool that has been part of California law for more than 30 years, allowing parents to temporarily designate a trusted caregiver. AB 495 modernizes that tool to reflect the reality that today’s families face and to ensure children are cared for by people they know and love.
AB 495 is supported by more than 30 child welfare and immigrant advocacy organizations, including the Alliance for Children’s Rights, the Children’s Law Center of California, California State PTA, and First 5 California.
Background on AB 495
- Builds on existing caregiver affidavits that have safeguarded children in California for more than 30 years
- Ensures parents can designate trusted caregivers if they are detained or deported
- Expands options so children can be cared for by relatives or close family friends
- Affirms that parents keep full authority and can revoke these arrangements at any time
- Strengthens parental rights by allowing shared guardianship and easier termination of the arrangement once parents are back
- Provides school and child care administrators with model policies for dealing with immigration enforcement and ensuring child emergency contact information is up-to-date
AB 495 is currently on the Senate Suspense file and is awaiting further action.
Gabriel Urges California to close DIY machine gun loophole
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – Encino, Lake Balboa, Van Nuys) joined several lawmakers across the state this week, along with gun violence survivors and advocates, to call on the California State Senate to advance AB 1127, which would address the threat posed by the growing proliferation of DIY machine guns.
AB 1127 has passed the California State Assembly, but faces a critical vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee later this week.
AB 1127 is a top priority for gun safety groups like Moms Demand Action because it would help address a deadly design flaw that makes it possible to convert some semi-automatic firearms to highly lethal machine guns with the use of a simple device known as a “switch”.
The use of “switches” has skyrocketed in recent years, and guns equipped with them are quickly becoming a weapon of choice for criminals. These devices are cheap, can be made at home with a 3D printer, and can be installed in minutes with just a screwdriver.
“As parents and lawmakers, we refuse to stand idly by while our schools and communities are being threatened by illegal machine guns,” said Gabriel. “This commonsense legislation will ensure that the gun industry is held accountable and that we are doing everything possible to protect our communities from mass shootings.”
AB 1127 would encourage gun manufacturers to finally address this issue and prevent their guns from being easily converted into deadly automatic weapons by prohibiting the sale of any semi-automatic handgun in California that is easily convertible into a fully automatic machine gun.
Bass commends confirmation of Domenika Lynch as El Pueblo General Manager
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass today recognized the Los Angeles City Council for unanimously confirming Domenika Lynch as the new General Manager of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which includes the historic Olvera Street and Pico House.
With extensive experience leading mission-driven philanthropic organizations and creating spaces where communities can thrive, Lynch will advance Bass’ vision to reenergize El Pueblo and prepare the site to welcome the world as Los Angeles hosts several major events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone as she will become the first Latina to lead El Pueblo – a meaningful step forward for this City. With a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, fundraising, strategic planning and coalition-building across sectors, Lynch has dedicated her career to uplifting and expanding opportunities for Latino and other underrepresented communities nationwide.
“El Pueblo is not only the birthplace of Los Angeles but a cultural anchor with restaurants and small businesses right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles,” said Bass. “Especially during this challenging time for immigrant communities, El Pueblo needs a leader who can marshal the resources needed to both preserve its history and also activate the living, working business hub and event space.
“I feel confident that Ms. Lynch will help bring back those who may not have visited for a while, as well as attract new visitors to El Pueblo as a lively gathering place filled with both rich history and vibrant cultural offerings and events, especially as we prepare to welcome the world in 2026 and 2028.”
