As of Oct. 13, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law to make low-income Mexican residents living near the border eligible for in-state tuition rates at certain community colleges. Gavin signed Assembly Bill 91, which was inspired in part by a decades-old law in Texas that permits Mexican residents to pay in-state tuition for their public education because they live so close to the border. The California law will permit low-income Mexican residents and citizens who live within 45 miles of the Mexico-California border to pay in-state tuition prices. The bill permits 150 students at each of the eight partner colleges to be awarded this “nonresident fee exemption.” Assemblymember David Alvarez told The LA Times “There are students who might actually be U.S. citizens but happen to be living in the Baja region because of the cost of living.” In California, the pilot program will last until July 2029. After a recent amendment to the bill, there are now eight eligible community colleges in the San Diego and Imperial Valley region that can admit up to 150 full-time students. Under the new law, students would go from paying $307 to $46 a unit. That is a difference of $1,380 compared to $10,380 a year, according to legislative analysis. 

Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) who voted against the bill, told the Los Angeles Times “that he agreed with the concept but opposed the bill for ‘fiscal reasons.’ He said that he questioned whether the bill would take away resources from already-existing students.” Alvarez assured that resources would not be taken away from students because the law states that every college can appropriate funds each year based on how many students they choose to admit under the program. This new bill could open up a world of possibilities to those kids who never believed they had a shot. It is giving kids the tools they need to be successful. In a world where the underfunded are shamed and one can never work hard enough to break generational ties, this bill is an early stepping stone to success. Giving Mexican youth the opportunity and the power to pave their own way could have an immense amount of positive effects. Not only will this help provide a chance for a better occupation and finances later in life, but it gives the youth freedom to decide what career suits them best and makes them happiest. Furthermore, this bill came in a time where student enrollment at the community college level was at an all time low. Not only is this new bill a positive on a personal level, but also on a broader scale. For most, community college is a starter, or the only option. Keeping the school population full helps ensure future generations an affordable and manageable education. This bill will help keep these places afloat and make what seems impossible feel possible. 

Photo by:  Karolina Grabowska via Pexels