Such children might Include the people I represent and Puerto Ricans and others who are nativeborn U.S. citizens. It may also single out Hispanics and Asians who have been here for generations. One of the possible effects of this amendment might be that all of us nontypical American looking types may be forced to carry documentation so as not to be misidentified by educational personnel as illegal Immigrants. This Is nothing more than lashing our at a population of foreigner. this is allowing emotion to reign in what Is a very serious debate. and you know what Is most bothersomeIs that this Is not in the best tradition of what makes America great. When you look at this debate. you see two great forces which make America stand out among the nations of the worldan immigration history which has been open and welcoming and which has provided opportunities to some Members of this body who are themselves first generation immigrants and to the sons and daughters. grandsons and granddaughters of immigrants who Im sure make up the majority of the membership of this body. That legacy In combination with the quest for educational opportunity and the historical record of providing common schooling for children of whatever origin has accounted for much of Americas present greatness. Educational opportunity and its expansion for immigrants and the children of immigrants as well as nativeborn have been the engines of progress in American history. In seeking to amend an educational opportunity bill for these purposes. we see the two great forces for American progressimmigration and the expansion of educational opportunityblunted. used and abused. perverted to block the very things which has made America the Nation that it is today. Clearly what America is today and its historical experiences to date are being ignored and discarded by these amendments. We need to talk about immigration policy and we need to deal with the issue of controlling the borders. but to use schools as the vehicles and children as the pawns In the process is not right and we know it. Vote down the Rohrabacher amendment.
Identified stereotypes
Nontypical American looking types may be forced to carry documentation