Bill to let community college students deported or leaving the U.S. continue studies online advances

Assemblymember Fong presented AB 695, a bill to permit California community college students who leave the country — whether involuntarily because of immigration enforcement or voluntarily to avoid danger — to continue their instruction through online community college programs. The bill also makes clear that students who qualified for resident tuition exemptions before leaving may remain eligible for in‑state tuition under the pilot program.

College leaders and immigrant‑service organizations supported the measure. Dr. Monte Perez, president of East Los Angeles College, said the policy would prevent deported students from having their academic progress abruptly terminated: “No student should be punished twice, once by deportation and again by the loss of their educational journey.” Christopher Sanchez of CARECEN described the complex immigration statuses that put students at risk and said the bill would preserve educational continuity for students whose immigration protections have lapsed or been narrowed.

The committee voted to advance AB 695 to the Senate Appropriations Committee; supporters said implementation details would be worked out with the community college system and the Chancellor’s Office.