The state of California has passed various immigration laws that will go into effect in 2026. These laws expand protections of undocumented immigrants in court and in the classroom. They also require state agencies to advise individuals on legal matters, including consequences of a criminal conviction and legal representation. Here is a breakdown of those laws: Immigration advisements before pleaSB 281 requires that courts give verbatim immigration advisements before undocumented defendants plead guilty or no contest. This advisement would warn the defendant that if they are convicted, they could face immigration-related consequences. They could be deported, denied naturalization or denied admission into the country. It was authored by member of the state senate Sasha Perez (D) who represents District 25 (Pasadena). The bill was passed on Sept. 3 2025 with 30 in favor to 10 not in favor and was approved by Governor Gavin Newsom in October. This law will go into effect on January 1 2026. Legal counsel for unaccompanied immigrant youthAB 1261 requires the State Department of Social Services to provide legal counsel to immigrants under the age of 18 in federal or state proceedings related to immigration. The department must contract a qualified nonprofit organization to provide legal services to the unaccompanied minor. It would also allocate funding for these efforts and would be responsible for reviewing whether federal funding was made available and dispersed to relevant organizations. It defines immigrant youth as undocumented minors that do not have a parent or legal guardian in the country.The bill was passed in Sept. and approved by Newsom in October. The bill was authored by State Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D) who represents District 18 (Oakland). Schools must post students’ rightsAB 419 requires schools to post information about students’ rights surrounding immigration enforcement. It requires this information to be posted in administration offices and websites. These rights are regarding access to a free public education regardless of religious beliefs and immigration status. It continues to bar school officials from collecting information regarding the immigration status of students and their families. It mandates that school officials report the presence of immigration enforcement on campus.The bill was authored by State Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D) who represents District 12 (San Rafael). Emergency preparedness for familiesAB 495, also known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, aims to help families prepare for the absence of a parental figure and prevents child facilities from gathering information regarding immigration status. The bill expands who can give a caregiver’s authorization, granting them the right to make decisions on school-related medical care. School-related medical care refers to immunizations, physical exams and medical exams conducted in school. This expansion applies to stepparents, stepsiblings and all family members who have a relation-status precede by the words “great,” “great-great,” or “grand.” This allows for family members within the fifth degree of kinship to become guardians. It also extends to the spouse of these listed individuals, even after the marriage was ended. This is done to prepare for the possible absence of a parental figure because of detention by immigration enforcement. It allows courts to appoint a custodial parent and a person nominated by that custodial parent to act as joint guardians. If the custodial parent will not be available because of specific circumstances, like immigration-related issues, the nominated individual can act as guardian. The bill was authored by State Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D), who represents District 43 (Arleta). It was co-authored by more than 20 other Democrats lawmakers.

The state of California has passed various immigration laws that will go into effect in 2026. These laws expand protections of undocumented immigrants in court and in the classroom. They also require state agencies to advise individuals on legal matters, including consequences of a criminal conviction and legal representation. Here is a breakdown of those laws:

Immigration advisements before plea

SB 281 requires that courts give verbatim immigration advisements before undocumented defendants plead guilty or no contest. This advisement would warn the defendant that if they are convicted, they could face immigration-related consequences. They could be deported, denied naturalization or denied admission into the country.

It was authored by member of the state senate Sasha Perez (D) who represents District 25 (Pasadena). The bill was passed on Sept. 3 2025 with 30 in favor to 10 not in favor and was approved by Governor Gavin Newsom in October. This law will go into effect on January 1 2026.

Legal counsel for unaccompanied immigrant youth

AB 1261 requires the State Department of Social Services to provide legal counsel to immigrants under the age of 18 in federal or state proceedings related to immigration. The department must contract a qualified nonprofit organization to provide legal services to the unaccompanied minor.

It would also allocate funding for these efforts and would be responsible for reviewing whether federal funding was made available and dispersed to relevant organizations. It defines immigrant youth as undocumented minors that do not have a parent or legal guardian in the country.

The bill was passed in Sept. and approved by Newsom in October. The bill was authored by State Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D) who represents District 18 (Oakland).

Schools must post students’ rights

AB 419 requires schools to post information about students’ rights surrounding immigration enforcement. It requires this information to be posted in administration offices and websites. These rights are regarding access to a free public education regardless of religious beliefs and immigration status.

It continues to bar school officials from collecting information regarding the immigration status of students and their families. It mandates that school officials report the presence of immigration enforcement on campus.

The bill was authored by State Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D) who represents District 12 (San Rafael).

Emergency preparedness for families

AB 495, also known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, aims to help families prepare for the absence of a parental figure and prevents child facilities from gathering information regarding immigration status.

The bill expands who can give a caregiver’s authorization, granting them the right to make decisions on school-related medical care. School-related medical care refers to immunizations, physical exams and medical exams conducted in school.

This expansion applies to stepparents, stepsiblings and all family members who have a relation-status precede by the words “great,” “great-great,” or “grand.” This allows for family members within the fifth degree of kinship to become guardians. It also extends to the spouse of these listed individuals, even after the marriage was ended.

This is done to prepare for the possible absence of a parental figure because of detention by immigration enforcement.

It allows courts to appoint a custodial parent and a person nominated by that custodial parent to act as joint guardians. If the custodial parent will not be available because of specific circumstances, like immigration-related issues, the nominated individual can act as guardian.

The bill was authored by State Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D), who represents District 43 (Arleta). It was co-authored by more than 20 other Democrats lawmakers.