I thank my friend for yielding this time to me. I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from California . With respect to illegal immigration. if I may say so. there are very few areas where the gentleman from California [Mr. GALLELY and I disagree. We have worked together for several years on many of the issues that are addressed in this bill. but denying public education to the children of illegal immigrants would. in my opinion. be an ineffective and overly punitive way to try to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into this country. Let me make two brief points about the amendment. First. the provisions of the bill itself. if enacted. will go a long way toward stopping illegal immigration at the border. and. even more importantly. reducing the lure of Job opportunities. The denial of access of education for children here illegally. children who have not chosen themselves to break our laws. will not act as a further disincentive for illegal immigration. People cross our borders illegally in search of employment. The fact that they bring their children along is usually incidental.
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illegal immigrants illegal immigration