Mr. Chairman. I rise In support of the amendment offered by my colleague from Florida . which provides for the reimbursement of State and local governments for some of the costs that they incur meeting the needs of refugees In ther jurisdictions. As we consider this bill. one fact that we must keep in mind Is that the Influx of immigrants and refugees into our States and Into our communities Is far from costfree. Rather. we are asking local governments. already deeply pressed to provide decent education for our children and medical care for our aged and our indigent. to take on an enormous burden. This year. the State of Florida will rank third In the country for reception of refugees. Dade County. which I have the honor to represent. will receive over half of the total. What that means. in concrete terms. is that our schools are absorbing more than 200 additional children per month. at an average annual cost of $4.000 per child or $33 million per year.
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immigrants refugees