Christián Gomar Beltran
Resident of Tijuana

"It sounds like a lot of time driving to school – two hours – but you get used to it," shrugs Christian Gomar Beltran (or "Chris" as he is called in the U.S.). He is one of a handful of Mexican students participating in a unique, dual-degree program called MEXUS. In his case, he is an undergraduate student at both the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) and at San Diego State University, and will receive a degree in international business from both universities after he finishes. "I think it’s a good opportunity to get a different perspective – two different perspectives – in the area I’m studying." A Mexican citizen, Christian has an F-1 student visa that allows him to study in the U.S.

"When school’s in session, I usually cross three or four times a week depending on my class schedule. Also, once or twice a week for shopping or hanging out with friends." Next semester, Christian will have to leave his house in Tijuana at 6 a.m., drive to the San Ysidro border crossing where he expects to wait 30-60 minutes, then drive north up the congested 805 freeway to arrive at his 8 a.m. class on time. He currently isn’t enrolled in the SENTRI program, and worries that not only are lines getting longer crossing into San Diego, "but, it’s beginning to be a problem coming back into Mexico now. Sometimes, it can take half an hour just to return to Tijuana because of the traffic." (SENTRI is the acronym for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, a pre-screened inspection program currently used by approximately 50,000 individuals in the San Diego-Baja California region).

Christian is only one of many students that cross the border each day to attend schools and regional universities. "Some students have SENTRI cards, some carpool, some just rent an apartment in San Diego and live there during the week so they don’t have to cross." Those that cannot afford the cost of the F-1 student visa are sometimes rejected during the application process.

He also worries that Mexico isn’t offering stronger education programs, forcing some students to look for educational opportunities in other countries. "Every time a student leaves, Mexico loses something…someone to contribute to our country." He also worries about the number of people that come to Tijuana looking for opportunities: "Tijuana isn’t developing as fast as it’s growing."

But, he will continue his studies. "Why do I keep crossing? It’s my interest to finish my studies, and get a degree."

José
U.S. Permanent Resident, Residing in Tijuana and Working in San Diego

"Of course we’d like to live in San Diego; but for economic reasons, it doesn’t make sense." Such is the critique of San Diego’s housing problem from the perspective of "José" (not his real name), a 26 year old U.S. permanent resident currently living in Tijuana with his wife (a Mexican citizen) and child (a U.S. citizen). "I could’ve afforded a house back in 1998, but I was young and wasn’t thinking about buying a house. Now, I can’t – it’s too much. That’s why I live in Tijuana."

José crosses the border six times a week – five times to get to his job in South San Diego, and once a week for shopping: "We usually go to WalMart, Sears, to Chula Vista, National City, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove – those places." A native of Tijuana, he has been crossing since he was four years old. In 1991, "José" became a U.S. permanent resident – allowing him to live and work in the United States. He studied at Morse High School in Southeast San Diego, and would cross the border only periodically, primarily "to see friends and to party". Now part of San Diego’s blue-collar workforce, José earns less than $20,000 per year – one of the main reasons that he decided to move back to Tijuana.

"After I got married, my wife and I lived in San Diego for a while. We could afford it, but we’d be renting a small apartment or studio, and it wouldn’t be a good life. Also, my wife would be living in the U.S. illegally, so we both preferred to move to Tijuana." José’s plan: to save enough money to purchase a property in Tijuana and fix it up; in four years, he’d rent it out, and use the equity to purchase a home in San Diego. "In Tijuana, I can make a down payment for $7,000 and monthly payments of about $500. During the next four years, I plan to apply for U.S. citizenship and hopefully my wife can become a permanent resident before moving back to San Diego." José’s plans, however, are tempered by worries that the fact he’s living in Tijuana (i.e.: outside of the U.S.) violates his permanent residency requirements, and might make him lose his "green card" if he’s caught.

"I’m not the only one doing this," he stresses. "I mean, look: I make more than minimum wage and I can’t afford to live in San Diego – imagine all the San Diegans that are making minimum wage. The houses they’re building in Tijuana aren’t for the people of Tijuana: they don’t have the credit. They’re being built for the Americans."