SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX26) — A new bill at the California Capitol could block former ICE employees from ever working as teachers or police officers in the state.
Assembly Bill 1627 was introduced this week by Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías, a Democrat from Martinez, California.
How AB 1627 Works
The proposed bill would permanently disqualify anyone who worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Trump administration from holding a wide range of jobs in the state.
That includes jobs in public education, such as teachers, principals, superintendents, or administrators across K–12 schools, community colleges, and the University of California and California State University systems.
The restrictions would apply to anyone employed by ICE between Sept. 1, 2025, and Jan. 20, 2029.
The proposed bill would also target former employees of the Alabama and Georgia Departments of Corrections who worked there between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2026.
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Changes To Background Checks
California already has strict requirements for law enforcement and education workers, including fingerprint-based background checks and disqualifications for felony convictions.
AB 1627 would expand those background checks to include a review of whether applicants previously worked for ICE or the Alabama or Georgia corrections departments during the specified time periods.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would be required to review that employment history before someone could be hired or begin training as a peace officer.
The Department of Education would perform similar reviews for applicants seeking jobs in public schools or higher education.
What Supporters Say
Supporters of the bill say it’s about protecting Californians and ensuring that people working in these roles have not taken part in what they describe as abusive or discriminatory practices.
In the bill’s findings, lawmakers point to ICE operations beginning in 2025 that they say involved racial profiling and excessive force.
The legislation also references federal investigations into Alabama and Georgia’s prison systems, which found widespread abuse and unconstitutional conditions.
What Happens Next
The bill declares the proposed changes a matter of statewide concern, meaning the rules would apply to all cities, including charter cities.
If the new background check requirements result in additional costs for local agencies or school districts, the bill allows for possible reimbursement by the state, pending a determination by the Commission on State Mandates.
Anyone who worked for those agencies during the specified time frames would be automatically disqualified, even if they were never charged with a crime.
The bill requires a simple majority vote to pass.