By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California lawmakers have passed a bill requiring K-12 schools, state universities, and community colleges to notify students, faculty, and families when immigration enforcement authorities are present on campuses. The legislation, known as the SAFE Act, comes amid the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts and increasing immigration enforcement activity near schools.

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), who authored the bill, said it is modeled on early warning systems already used for other campus emergencies.

“With students returning to school, this legislation is more important than ever,” said Pérez. “In the face of mass deportations, raids and immigration enforcement authorities showing up at schools, the SAFE Act can help inform and empower school communities to make the best decisions about their safety and their family’s safety.”

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who oversees the state’s public school system, strongly supported the bill.

“Our immigrant families are living in fear and our time to act is limited. The school year has begun, and now is the time to make decisive efforts to protect our communities and maintain schools as a safe place for learning,” said Thurmond.

Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hill Estates) emphasized the need for safe learning environments.

“Students cannot learn unless they feel safe,” said Muratsuchi. “For decades we had a bipartisan agreement to keep educational institutions, schools, campuses, free from immigration enforcement activities.”

The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Oct. 12 to sign it into law. If approved, it will take effect immediately and remain in place until 2031.

The SAFE Act is part of a broader set of California proposals aimed at protecting immigrant communities, including measures to prevent enforcement officers from entering nonpublic areas of schools or hospitals without a warrant. The legislation follows high-profile incidents, such as the detention of a 15-year-old outside a Los Angeles high school in August, which drew widespread public outrage.

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By Antoinette Porter

Hundreds of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and their guests gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union at the University of California, Berkeley, to mark the 100th anniversary of the sorority’s Farwest Region.

The region was established in 1925 under the leadership of Vivian Osborne Marsh, who became its first Regional Director. Marsh was a pioneering scholar and civic leader, earning recognition as the first Black woman to receive both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in anthropology from UC Berkeley.

Marsh went on to serve as Delta Sigma Theta’s 7th National President, where she launched the sorority’s National Library Project to expand access to books in underserved Black communities in the South. During her presidency, the organization also became a prominent voice in the civil rights movement, lobbying Congress to pass anti-lynching legislation.

Bak in the Bay Area, Marsh devoted her career to advancing educational opportunities, mentoring young people, and strengthening community life. That commitment continues to shape the region, which supports initiatives in education, social justice, and economic development. Current projects include raising scholarship funds for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, voter education campaigns, and health and wellness programs.

A century after its founding, the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta remains active across California and other western states, carrying forward Marsh’s vision of service and advocacy.

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The University of California has admitted a record number of California first-year students for fall 2025, with 100,947 in-state freshmen admitted, a 7% increase over last year.

Among them, 6% identify as Black.

The UC system continues to see steady growth in racial and ethnic representation. Latinos made up the largest share of admitted students at 39%, followed by Asian Americans at 33%, White students at 18%, and Native American and Pacific Islander students at about 1% or less. The growth comes even as the total applicant pool dropped slightly to 249,824.

Much of the admissions increase was driven by UC Merced and UC Riverside. Merced boosted admission offers by over 60%, and Riverside increased them by more than 38%. In contrast, UCLA and UC Berkeley admitted fewer California freshmen this year, despite high application numbers.

“This growth is a clear indication that Californians recognize the value of a UC degree,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, who stepped down from the post last month.

James B. Milliken, former University of Texas chancellor, has assumed the role.

The UC system continues to admit many students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. This year, 42% of California first-year admits come from low-income families, and 42% are the first in their families to attend college.

In total, UC admitted 180,382 first-year and transfer students, including international and out-of-state applicants. International admissions rose 17%, and out-of-state offers rose 9%, despite concerns about federal visa restrictions and tuition hikes. Nonresident tuition increased to $37,602 last fall.

UC officials say their admissions process follows all state and federal laws, even as the system faces federal investigations into alleged race-based practices. “We are proud to offer these exceptional young people a place at the University of California,” said Han Mi Yoon-Wu, associate vice provost for undergraduate admissions in a statement.

As students prepare to make enrollment decisions, UC leaders say expanding access remains a top priority. Final enrollment numbers are expected in the fall.

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