California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 2586, which would mandate public universities to hire undocumented students without work permits, making California the first state to implement such a measure. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman David Alvarez, passed with a vote of 41-7 and would require institutions to begin hiring these students by January 2025. While supporters argue the bill will help students financially, the University of California has expressed concerns about potential legal liabilities and loss of federal funding. Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to publicly announce his stance on the bill, which arrives during an election year fraught with immigration debates. The legislation applies to the California State University and California Community Colleges systems, but there is uncertainty regarding its applicability to the University of California. If signed into law, the bill could reshape employment opportunities for many students historically barred from on-campus jobs due to their immigration status.