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AB 695 would let community college students who leave the U.S. because of immigration enforcement continue studies online
Summary
AB 695 would permit California Community College students who depart the United States either voluntarily or involuntarily because of immigration enforcement to continue their education through online community‑college programs and maintain resident tuition exemptions under specified conditions.
Assemblymember Fong presented AB 695 as a narrowly drawn bill to offer continuity for California community college students who leave the United States after immigration enforcement. "Deportation of students ... their academic journey is abruptly disrupted," East Los Angeles College President Monte Perez told the committee. Perez — speaking for the Los Angeles Community College District — said the bill would allow students forced or compelled to leave to continue coursework online and, if they meet the bill’s conditions, keep resident‑rate tuition exemptions.
Christopher Sanchez of the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) described the immigration legal environment and said many community college students come from mixed‑status households and hold immigration protections that are now less secure; permitting remote continuation would reduce educational interruptions. Support also came from unions and a broad coalition of community college districts and statewide organizations including the system chancellor’s office and faculty associations.
No major opposition surfaced in committee; sponsors noted the measure is narrow and limited to community college students who were enrolled at the time of departure and who meet criteria for resident‑rate exemption. The committee advanced AB 695 to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
