In a remarkable display of determination and resilience, Jose M. Vazquez, a 24-year-old senior at San Diego State University Imperial Valley, is set to graduate on May 12th during a convocation in Mexicali, Mexico. Vazquez's story is just one among tens of thousands of transborder students who cross the U.S-Mexico border into California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in pursuit of an education in the United States.

For Vazquez, crossing the border has been a daily reality for nearly a decade. As a U.S. citizen born in Arizona, he relocated to Mexicali, Mexico, after his father's deportation in 2006. Despite the challenges, Vazquez remains grateful for the opportunity to study in the United States while maintaining his cultural ties to Mexico.

The educational journey of transborder students often starts in middle or high school, where they navigate a complex web of documentation in order to cross into the U.S. legally. Armed with passports, birth certificates, or naturalization certificates, these students reside in Mexico for its cost-effectiveness and the ability to be with their families. To avoid scrutiny from school districts, some students even use U.S. addresses, often those of friends or family members.

Laura Dicochea, a Ph.D. candidate at Arizona State University who researches transborder students, describes their experience as a "circular migration." Some are U.S. citizens who have spent the majority of their lives in Mexico, while others return after living in America for economic or family reasons.

These transborder students face unique challenges on a daily basis. They wake up in the early hours of the morning, endure long wait times at the border, and brave interactions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The act of crossing the border legally leaves them vulnerable to scrutiny, and many have experienced tense encounters with officials.

Javier Melara, who will be graduating alongside Vazquez in Mexicali, has been crossing the border to attend school in California since he was just 11 years old. He speaks of the constant fear and challenges these students face, including being sent for additional questioning during secondary inspections.

Community members also pose a hurdle for these students. Diana Lara Zamora, a senior at Arizona State University, faced frustrations from residents who felt their taxes were benefiting non-residents. The unfair judgment led her to transfer to a different high school. However, Lara Zamora remains hopeful and determined to support students facing similar challenges in their educational journey.

Despite the obstacles, Vazquez, Lara Zamora, and Melara refuse to be deterred. They are set on paving the way for future generations, as first-generation college students, to achieve their dreams. Lara Zamora, planning to enroll in graduate school, emphasizes the importance of not being the last in her family to access higher education.

As they approach graduation, Vazquez looks forward to taking a gap year to pursue his passion for performing as a drag queen, while Melara plans to continue his education and eventually pursue a doctorate degree. For Vazquez's mother, attending his graduation ceremony in Mexicali holds special significance, as she was unable to cross the border for his high school graduation.

The stories of these transborder students remind us of the resilience and determination that fuels their educational journey. They overcome countless obstacles, defying borders and withstanding scrutiny to achieve their dreams. Their experiences inspire us to support and uplift the talents and ambitions of all students, regardless of the challenges they face.