Because there is a low multiplying factor per student which will not meet the actual need of the school system. the amount of money provided even under this legislation will be clearly insufficient. Any school district. and particularly that of large urban areas such as New York. Los Angeles or Miami where large numbers of -immigrants settle. will not be able to provide the needed services from their own budgets. If Federal resaurces are not forthcoming. services for children already enrolled in these schools would have to be reduced. And it is especially difficult for those school districts which already enroll a large ponulation of disadvantaged. minority and refugee children to find in their already overtaxed budgets funds for new children whose cost of education are disproportionately high. It is in the best tradition of this Nation to welcome refugees from all countries where there is political and economic repression. Cities and towns across the country are providing all kinds of services. educational. medical. and cultural which are designed to help the refugees adjust to a new way of life. However. these communities and their citizens should not be penalized because they are willing to provide assistance. The Federal Government must recognize its financial responsibility. We have been moving in that direction. The supplemental appropriations bill provides funds for refugees under the foreign aid legislation. And the conferees considering the Higher Education Act have made these children eligible under the impact aid program. A conference committee will soon be convened to work on the foreign aid authorization which includes funds for language training. adult vocational education. and general resettlement benefits. I urge the House to pass this legislation today. Hopefully this is indicative of the Federal Covernments recognition of its responsibility to provide financial assistance to all refugees and their local communities.
Keywords matched
immigrants refugee refugees