Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges as one of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law establishes uniform residency requirements for purposes of ascertaining the amount of tuition and fees to be paid by students of public postsecondary educational institutions. Existing law requires a student classified as a nonresident to pay nonresident tuition, in addition to other fees required by the institution, except as provided.
This bill, the California Community Colleges Access and Continuity for Deported Students Act, would exempt a community college student from paying nonresident tuition if the student has been involuntarily removed from the United States due to immigration enforcement actions, was not paying nonresident tuition at the time of deportation, provides proof of deportation status, and reenrolls in a community college online education program. The bill would require a deported student who legally reenters the United States and resumes in-person education at a community college to be eligible for nonresident tuition, provided the student was previously classified as a resident and eligible for the nonresident tuition exemption at the time of deportation, and would require the student to be eligible for financial aid upon reenrollment. The bill would require the board of governors to adopt specified regulations related to the bill, including regulations that establish procedures for verifying deportation status and eligibility. To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.