California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition: 2026 Policy Agenda

The California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition (CUHEC) is a statewide alliance of over 50 organizations representing students, educators, and community allies working to strengthen California’s workforce and economy. We are dedicated to advancing college access, affordability, and success for undocumented students for the benefit of the state’s communities, workforce, and economy. California is home to 103,000 undocumented students currently enrolled in California’s colleges and universities; the largest in the nation. The State of California also enrolls 276,722 undocumented students in TK-12 schools.

Amid a difficult current federal political climate that has threatened undocumented and immigrant communities, undocumented students continue to face barriers in accessing employment opportunities that will allow college to become more affordable for these students and allow them to gain professional experience needed to seamlessly transition into the workforce after graduation. Moreover, undocumented students continue to struggle to meet their basic needs amid rising college costs and limited financial aid access to help them meet their total cost of attendance.

CUHEC’s 2026 policy agenda addresses these issues to ensure that every student across California, regardless of their immigration status, can truly access and succeed in obtaining a higher education. The following priority bills help advance targeted solutions to expand education-to-employment opportunities, increase student supports, and safeguard students from immigration enforcement so they can fully participate in campus life and achieve their goals.