Illegal immigrant students attending public colleges in California are now allowed to hold elected positions on college boards and commissions.
The bill, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Aug. 24, refers to itself as “an urgency statute” and also provides that California college students who are minors be able to hold civil office.
Campus Reform reports,
The bill, AB1887, was signed on Aug 24 and permits students, who are illegally residing in the United States, to ‘serve on any board or commission […] that relate to public elementary and secondary education and that includes members who are pupils or minors,’ provided they are eligible for in-state tuition or are otherwise exempt from paying non-resident tuition.
In California, students qualify for in-state tuition, also known as resident tuition, provided they have resided in the state for over a year prior to admission. Non-California resident students, including illegal immigrants, may be eligible for an exemption if they meet certain requirements, such as attending a California high school or community college for a minimum of three years, according to California Education Code 68130.…
The bill amended a law which previously restricted positions of civil office to adult California residents, including illegal immigrants. The revisions that have taken effect also allow California college students who are under the age of 18 to hold civil office within California public colleges.
The legislation applies to all college campuses of the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and even independent institutions of higher education, in some cases.
The bill took effect immediately upon signing.
(Cover Photo: Flickr - Gov. Jerry Brown)