Speech #1040260058

Mr. Speaker. one of the most critical challenges facing the 104th Congress is the passage of comprehensive and effective immigration reform legislation. For many years the American people have expressed frustration that its leaders in Congress have failed to enact policies to eliminate the unacceptable high levels of illegal entry into our country. Under the able leadership of the gentleman from Texas. Mr. LAMAR SMITH. chairman of the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims. the House of Representatives will soon consider a conference report which finally addresses the public concern over this problem in a serious and comprehensive manner. One of the most important elements of this conference report is the socalled Gallegly amendment. This provision is really quite straightforward. It simply eliminates the ability of the Federal Government to force States to provide a free public education to illegal immigrants. This unfunded mandate is especially disturbing considering that 95 percent of the cost of providing a public education is born by State taxpayers. In addition. my amendment has been modified to make absolutely sure that illegal immigrant children who are already enrolled in public schools will not be removed from those schools. This compromise provides that illegal immigrants who are currently enrolled in a public school will continue to receive a free public education through the highest grade either in elementary or secondary school. For example. an illegal immigrant student in 2d grade could get a free education until the 6th grade or an illegal student in the 7th grade could continue through the 12th grade. provided they remained within the same school district. It is important to keep in mind that all these provisions dealing with illegal immigrants currently enrolled in public schools apply only to the States that choose to deny illegal immigrants a free public education. If a State. be it New York. Oregon. or any other State. wants to continue to provide a free public education to illegal immigrants as they currently do. they would be perfectly entitled to continue that policy. Mr. Speaker. California alone spends over $2 billion per year to educate illegal immigrants. and our Nation spends over $4 billion in this unfunded mandate. It is time that we at least give the States this important tool for reducing incentives for illegal immigrants to stay in our country.