Major University Caught Doing The Unthinkable

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

The University of California (UC) system is looking into hiring undocumented students to work in student-employment positions despite there being a federal ban against the practice.

UC President Michael Drake and Board of Regents Chair Richard Leib in a statement on Thursday revealed that the board had appointed a group to look into the relevant issue and consider all employment opportunities that students could benefit from regardless of what their immigration status is. The group will also be creating a plan and legal strategy by November for the university to determine what steps it can take next. In the statement, they noted that they were committed to ensuring that all students regardless of their immigration status would be able to receive a world-class education in their institution, which includes all students being able to benefit from employment opportunities.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 sets both civil and criminal penalties for employers who intentionally hire undocumented immigrants or those who lack the proper authorization to work in the United States.

However, according to a Los Angeles Times report, UCLA legal scholars have developed a theory that this law might not be applicable to the state and state entities, such as the UC.

Regent John Perez specifically noted that the UC was going to have to place its attention on determining how its plan could be implemented. He further added that this change was far too important to go wrong.

It is also possible that following the implementation of the plan the university might face legal action and public backlash as the risk for faculty and staff hiring students could increase.