‘College Swap’ Worth a Try

The stories we’ve heard this year about U.S.-raised immigrant children who were essentially barred from college because of their illegal status were heart-rending, but there was no easy way to fix the problem. The sticking point was how to allow these children of undocumented parents to attend California state schools without unfairness to legal California residents who would be competing for the same slots. Members of the Latino caucus in the Legislature have come up with a bill that begins to solve the problem, and it deserves a good look.

Many children of undocumented immigrants have been schooled from the elementary grades in California, and of course they bear no personal responsibility for being in this country illegally, having been brought in by their parents.

The state by law offers public education to all children regardless of their immigration status through the 12th grade. But there the obligation ends. The undocumented students may attend California colleges, but only at the usually prohibitive nonresident tuition rate.

Members of the Latino caucus have responded with an ingenious plan that would require the participation of the Mexican government, something Mexican President Vicente Fox seems likely to offer. The bill by Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) would allow 1,000 Mexican citizens who have met the scholastic requirements and been accepted at a public college to attend at resident rates. In reciprocity, 1,000 California citizens would be allowed to do likewise in Mexico. There is no doubt some Californians would jump at this opportunity. Thousands of Americans have already attended Mexican universities.

Mexico would pay the cost of its program. In California, it has been estimated that most of the eligible students, about 70%, would enroll at a community college. Less than 10% would enroll at a UC campus, and the rest would go to the CSU system. The estimated total cost of the program to California would be less than $5 million from the state General Fund, to add capacity so the new students would not crowd out otherwise qualified legal residents. Polanco’s bill unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee and is before the Senate Appropriations Committee for a fiscal hearing. It should go forward.

At 1,000 students on each side of the border, this is clearly a pilot program, and worth a try. To block a young person who wants to continue his or her education is a long-term economic waste to the state. Californians have already invested in up to 12 years of education for these students. If they can make it to the next step, they’ll be more productive for California in the long run.