California Community Colleges Access and Continuity for Deported Students Act.

Assembly Member Fong's California Community Colleges Access and Continuity for Deported Students Act creates a nonresident tuition exemption for community college students who depart the United States due to immigration enforcement actions after January 1, 2025. The legislation enables these students to continue their education through online programs while abroad, provided they were not paying nonresident tuition at the time of departure and reenroll within three years.

The bill establishes specific eligibility criteria for the tuition exemption, including students who leave due to immigration enforcement, voluntary departure under threat of enforcement, or denial of reentry following a brief trip abroad. Students must submit an attestation documenting their departure date and circumstances. The exemption remains in effect until completion of an associate degree, certificate program, or transfer requirements. Students who later reenter the United States legally and resume in-person classes retain their resident status for tuition purposes and remain eligible for financial aid if they previously qualified.

The measure requires community colleges to implement new administrative procedures for verifying student eligibility and processing attestations. As a state-mandated program, colleges would receive reimbursement for associated costs as determined by the Commission on State Mandates. The bill's urgency clause provides for immediate implementation upon enactment to prevent educational disruption for affected students.