Yesterday marked Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "fifth of May,” which is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride with traditions including parades, music performances and street festivals. The Cinco de Mayo celebration originated among communities along the west coast of Mexico and the United States to commemorate freedom and democracy.

According to the SEVIS by the Numbers report, Mexico is one of the top ten countries sending students to study in the United States. In ninth place, Mexico rounds out the list currently with 17,540 F & M students.

Many Mexican students in the United States are border commuters, meaning they study in the United States but reside in Mexico. There are special regulations for a specific category of these border commuter students. These F-1 or M-1 students have other responsibilities at home, such as employment. The special rules allow them, unlike other F-1 or M-1 students, to study part time.

Mexican border commuter students without such needs qualify as any other F-1 and M-1 students. Mexican students should speak with their designated school official to decide if they wish to come under the special rules, because certain nonimmigrant benefits are not offered to part-time students that are available to full-time students. Please note that Canadian students can be border commuters, too, and may enroll under the special regulations.

Are you a Mexican student in the United States celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Share your photos and story with us on Facebook and Twitter.