California Expands In-State Community College Tuition to Mexican Residents Near Border

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law allowing low-income Mexican residents living within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border to attend certain community colleges in the state at in-state tuition rates. The pilot program, set to begin next year and run until 2029, aims to make education more accessible for low-income students and prepare them for jobs. The legislation requires students to be either US or Mexican citizens with a required visa. The move comes as part of efforts to address the high cost of living in California and ensure that talented students are not lost due to financial constraints. Additionally, Newsom signed a separate law raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25 per hour over the next decade.