I am proud to represent El Paso. TX. whose 600.000 citizens and residents have successfully integrated bilingualism and biculturalism into their education system. health care facilities. and economy. Bilingual education programs are essential in my district and many others throughout the country to integrate new immigrants and their children into our society successfully. Because much of the rhetoric surrounding the subject of immigrants has become increasingly harsh. these programs are easy targets for budget cuts. However. any decrease in funding for bilingual and immigrant education would be very poorly advised. Our immigrant population is growing and the vast majority of these immigrants are from Asia and Latin America. If we can capitalize upon their linguistic abilities. we can ensure that young immigrants and the children of immigrants will be a valuable asset to our national competitiveness in the global economy. Moreover. if we fail to adequately fund bilingual and immigrant education programs. we will set many children up for failure and lose the benefits of their valuable linguistic skills. In the long run. the result will be that many of our young immigrants and their children will be unable to contribute fully to the future of this Nation. I do not believe neglecting the needs of citizens that speak English as a second language is sound policy. Any decrease in funding for bilingual education programs will promote frustration. segregation. and discrimination between those who have mastered the English language and those who have been denied the opportunity to do so.
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immigrant immigrants