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ended the school year with an enrollment of about 5.000 aliens who cost the district at least $7.5 million to educate. he said. Attorney General Mark White said in Austin the decision underlines the need for either better immigration enforcement or impact aid for school districts like Brownsville. "I have consistently stated and continue to state that the children should be educated and should not suffer because of the actions of their parents or the inaction of the federal government in enforcing the law." White said. Gov. Bill Clements in Houston echoed local school officials in predicting an increase in illegal aliens moving to Texas. "We have created a situation that makes illegal immigration. primarily from Mexico. attractive. I dont think anyonecould possibly reach any other conclusion." Clements said at a Houston news conference. He said Texas would comply with the ruling. but may need federal funds to do it. The Brownsville lawyer who represented illegal alien children in the suit said it was a victory for many children who otherwise might have been expelled. "Hopefully. it will help kids who didnt apply for admission because they didnt want to go through it and then be told to leave." said Linda Yanez. Yanez said that one of her clients was denied admission but his brothers and sisters. who were born in the United States were enrolled. It is not uncommon along the border to have resident aliens. illegal aliens and U.S. citizens within a single family. School officials expressed fears that the ruling will encourage families living across the Rio Grande in Matamoros. Mexico to move here and take advantage of the free schooling. "I think that will happen especially in the border areas where Mexico is finding it hard to provide their own facilities." said Gracie de Pena. school board president. "No one is against educating the children. per se." she said. Officials here say a relatively low tax base. high childadult ratio and the large number of children entering school speaking only Spanish contribute to the alien problem. [From the Dallas Times Herald. June 16. 1982] RULING COULD RAISE SCHOOL COSTS niy $20 MILLION (By Ernie Sotomayor) The annual cost of educating illegal aliens in Texas may increase by as much as $20 million because a new wave of undocumented students will be attracted to the states public schools by Tuesdays U.S. Supreme Court ruling. said Texas Education Commissioner Raymon L. Bynum. Bynum was joined by most other state officials. including those who pushed hard for allowing illegal aliens into public schools. in saying Texas must now make a strong bid for increased federal funding to pay for educating the 20.000 to 30.000 illegal alien children already enrolled in Texas schools. The commissioner said he was unable to say precisely how many illegal aliens are now enrolled in Texas schools or how many more would come in September. But Dallas school officials predicted the current estimated enrollment of 2.500 illegal aliens could double in five years. while Brownsville educators said that an additional 800 students could register annually during the next few years. "I think more aliens will come to this country because of the ruling." Bynum said. "We have a federal law not being adequately enforced. and that is putting an undue burden on local school districts. "I dont know how many will come. But the cost now runs about $55 million to $60 million a year." said Bynum. "I think I could increase $10 million to $20 million after this." Bynum said the Texas Education Agency will begin lobbying the Department of Education to increase its Title I funds. which supplement the cost of educating economically disadvantaged students. School districts have these funds to help offset the cost of educating other immigrants. such as Indochinese refugees. Rick Arnett. general counsel for the Texas Education Agency. said it costs more to educate illegal alien children than other students. "Generally they are behind. and they are going to require some kind of immediate remedial program. and they are going to need some special language programs too." he said. Dallas school officials joined San Antonio Independent School District educators in saying increased illegal alien student populations will require the hiring of additional bilingual education teachers. That. the officials said. will be difficult because there is currently a shortage of hundreds of bilingual education instructors in the state. Brownsville officials said the increased enrollment will require facilities equivalent to a new school every year. Officials in other districts around the state. such as Lubbock. Austin and MidlandOdessa and San Antonios 17.000student Edgewood Independent School District. said they expect little impact because their illegal alien student populations are minimal. Houston school officials said they estimate there are now 5.000 illegal alien students enrolled in their district but they expect no major increase. Secretary of State George Strake. the Republican nominee challenging incumbent William P. Hobby in the lieutenant governors race. was the only political figure to attack the ruling.