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EdSourceImmigration

California lawmakers call for faster DACA renewals amid prolonged processing delays

California lawmakers are urging the federal government to speed up DACA work permit renewals after processing delays forced some educators to stop working despite applying months in advance. Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr.’s House Resolution 124 calls on federal agencies to expedite renewals. California LULAC State Director Jacob Sandoval said the delays affect not only DACA recipients, but also families, employers, schools and local economies.

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Monterey HeraldEnvironmental Justice

Local activists head to Sacramento to express pesticide concerns

Local activists from Salinas, Greenfield, Watsonville and other agricultural communities traveled to Sacramento to raise concerns about California’s pesticide regulations. California LULAC State Director Jacob Sandoval emphasized the disproportionate pesticide exposure faced by Latino farmworker communities in the Salinas Valley. Advocates urged lawmakers to strengthen protections, reconsider the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s funding structure, and encourage the use of safer alternatives.

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The Sacramento BeeLegislation

New CA law aims to help families bring loved ones’ remains home for reburial

California’s Assembly Bill 2331 establishes clearer standards for families seeking court approval to move a loved one’s remains when required consent cannot be obtained. Inspired by Sylvia Zepeda-Lara’s effort to bring her late brother home, the law aims to make the process fairer and more consistent. California LULAC supported the legislation, emphasizing its importance for families seeking to honor cultural, religious and burial traditions.

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Monterey HeraldEducation

Salinas students to receive LULAC scholarships

LULAC Council 2055 will award $45,000 in scholarships to 75 graduating seniors from Salinas’ nine high schools. The scholarships recognize academic effort, community involvement and students who connect with LULAC’s mission, including undocumented students and those who have overcome educational challenges. Funded through local fundraising events, the program supports students pursuing higher education and may expand to local college students in the future.

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Monterey County NowCivil Rights

County supervisors approve the creation of an inspector general to oversee sheriff’s office.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of an inspector general’s office and community advisory committee to provide independent oversight of the County Sheriff’s Office. Supporters, including LULAC and the ACLU of Northern California, say the new structure could improve transparency, accountability and public trust by reviewing department policies, jail practices and spending. Sheriff Tina Nieto said she would comply with the decision but questioned its estimated $500,000 annual cost.

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The Press-EnterpriseCivil Rights

Civil rights coalition urges Riverside County to implement civilian sheriff oversight

Civil rights advocates, families and attorneys are renewing calls for Riverside County to establish an independent civilian oversight commission for the Sheriff’s Department. Their demand follows a grand jury report citing persistent jail deaths, limited transparency and systemic accountability concerns. The report recommends creating an oversight body with subpoena power, reviewing jail healthcare services and expanding public reporting. LULAC Inland Empire leaders joined the coalition in urging county supervisors to act, while Sheriff Chad Bianco rejected the report’s conclusions and maintained that the department already faces substantial oversight.

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Salinas Valley Tribune.Education

California’s Latino Students Shouldn’t Pay for the Failures of the Past

California’s public schools are facing growing financial pressure from legal claims filed under Assembly Bill 218, a 2019 law that expanded the time allowed for childhood sexual abuse survivors to pursue civil cases. While protecting survivors’ access to justice remains essential, the law provided no funding to help public institutions cover claims, leaving schools to pay decades-old liabilities with resources intended for today’s students. These costs are contributing to higher insurance premiums, delayed facility improvements, and fewer resources for teachers and support programs. The article calls on state lawmakers to adopt balanced reforms that protect survivors, discourage fraudulent or unsupported claims, fairly distribute liability, and prevent unlimited legal costs from undermining schools and other essential public services.

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San Francisco ChronicleAI

California needs new standards to protect kids from AI

California has historically led in protecting children through rules on media, advertising, school data, and product safety, but the article argues that AI remains largely unregulated for minors. As AI becomes common in schoolwork, social platforms, and everyday devices, children are using these tools rapidly, while parents and educators lack clear safeguards, transparency, and control. The article warns that AI can expose young people to risks such as inappropriate content, data exploitation, and technologies not designed with child safety in mind. It supports the Parents and Kids Safe AI Coalition, which calls for age estimation, limits on selling minors’ data, bans on targeted advertising to kids, and annual independent safety audits. The authors argue that strong rules can protect children while still supporting innovation, and urge California lawmakers to act now.

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Benito LinkEducation

San Benito LULAC award scholarships to Hollister High School students

San Benito LULAC awarded scholarships to three Hollister High School students for their academic achievement, leadership potential and community service. Recipients Genesis Sanjuan, Jennifer Martinez-Garcia and Johan Zaragoza plan to pursue degrees in neuroscience, civil engineering and psychology. Since its local founding in 1987, San Benito LULAC has continued supporting students while advancing educational opportunity, health, civil rights and community involvement.

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Assemblymember Rhodesia RansomCommunity

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom Recognizes LULAC Stockton Council 2060 as 2026 Nonprofit of the Year

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom named LULAC Stockton Council 2060 the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for California’s 13th Assembly District. The council was recognized for decades of service in San Joaquin County, including awarding more than $1.3 million in scholarships, organizing an annual youth leadership conference, and providing food baskets to families in need. The award also recognizes the dedication of the council’s volunteers and its efforts to support education, families, and future community leaders.

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Precinct Reporter NewsCivil Rights

Oversight: Riverside County Groups Fight for Justice

Families and community organizations in Riverside County are pursuing a 2026 ballot measure to create an independent Sheriff Oversight Commission and Inspector General with subpoena power. The effort follows concerns about in-custody deaths, use-of-force policies, complaint investigations, transparency, and millions of dollars spent on misconduct settlements. The proposed measure would allow voters to decide whether to establish independent oversight after advocates were unsuccessful in securing action from the Board of Supervisors. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco opposes the proposal but says the department will comply if voters approve it.

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NBC Palm SpringsCivil Rights

Could Riverside County voters force oversight of the Sheriff’s Department?

The Riverside County Sheriff Accountability Coalition is pursuing a ballot initiative to create a civilian oversight board and independent Office of Inspector General. The campaign follows concerns about jail deaths, costly lawsuits, transparency, and the sheriff’s combined role as head of the jail system and county coroner. After the Board of Supervisors declined to study the proposal, organizers began working to collect at least 35,000 signatures by April 2026. Sheriff Chad Bianco opposes the effort, calling it unnecessary and disruptive.

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KSBWEducation

Nearly 70 Salinas students celebrate scholarships paving the way for college dreams

Salinas LULAC awarded more than $45,000 in scholarships to 68 local students, with individual awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. Funded primarily through the organization’s Black and White Scholarship Fundraiser, the scholarships recognize students’ academic achievements and support their pursuit of higher education. LULAC Council 2055 has supported Salinas students for decades as part of its commitment to developing future community leaders.

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Los Angeles TimesHistory

John O. Gonzales, 91; fought for the rights of Mexican Americans

John O. Gonzales, a longtime civil rights advocate and early California LULAC leader, died at age 91. Gonzales helped establish LULAC councils throughout California and supported the landmark Mendez v. Westminster case, which ended school segregation in California. His fundraising and public advocacy helped bring national attention to the case and advanced equal educational opportunities for Latino students.

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