Mr. Chairman. I strongly support the Gallegly amendment which would reverse the Supreme Court Plyler versus Doe decision and permit the States to decide for themselves whether to provide a free public education to illegal aliens. Those in this country without the knowledge or permission of our Federal. State and local governments take advantage of our public assistance programs. They do not pay into the tax base. and they actually defraud our own taxpaying citizens of critical education. health and welfare assistance. I would simply point out that providing a free public education to illegal aliens cost California taxpayers $1.7 billion last year. I strongly urge support of the Gallegly amendment. I would authorize States to put the needs of their own citizens above those of illegal aliens. and it is good. sound public policy. Mr. Chairman. as we begin the debate on the Immigration in the National Interest Act. I want to bring to your attention an amendment that my colleague from California. will be offering. Other members of the California delegation and I strongly support this amendment. Our amendment is fashioned after Californias widely supported proposition 187. which received 59 percent of the vote on November 7. 1994. It will allow States the option of not providing illegal aliens with a free public education in much the same way that they are currently not obligated to do so for residents of other States. This will remove a substantial incentive for illegal aliens to come to this country. Most importantly. it will allow the States to spend very limited educational dollars on its own citizens and legal residents. The widespread support for proposition 187 is only one manifestation of a new social climate across the Nation.
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They do not pay into the tax base, and they actually defraud our own taxpaying citizens of critical education, health and welfare assistance.