Board takes step so Mexican border students can attend California community colleges for in-state tuition

Students who live in Mexico near California’s border could soon be eligible for in-state tuition at several community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties.

The board of governors for California’s community colleges on Monday authorized the system’s chancellor, Sonya Christian, to negotiate an agreement with Baja California’s education secretary that would allow students living within 45 miles of the board to attend one of nine community colleges in the region.

The move comes after state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom last year approved Assembly Bill 91 to create such a program. But the bill only takes effect if the community college system enters a reciprocity agreement with an accredited university in Baja California allowing California students to attend that university as well. Monday’s action by the board allows Christian to take the next step toward such an agreement.

Each community college could enroll up to the full-time equivalent of 150 students from Mexico. The colleges are Cuyamaca College, Grossmont College, Imperial Valley College, MiraCosta College, Palomar College, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College and Southwestern College.

Mark Sanchez, the president of Southwestern College, said during Monday’s meeting that there are already more than 100 students on the waiting list at that college who want to enroll in the program.

“Once the process is operationalized, this will put students on a trajectory to a better career and life pathway,” he added.