Speech #1040267544

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.R. 4134. the bill to deny public education to illegal immigrant children. Earlier today. I voted for the immigration reform bill. H.R. 2202. because it makes many important improvements to our immigration system by stepping up efforts to enforce current immigration laws. taking stronger steps to promote greater selfreliance among immigrants. and holding sponsors financially responsible for persons that they sponsor to migrate to the United States. I am particularly pleased that H.R. 2202 included an amendment I offered that encourages the Immigration and Naturalization Service to focus more resources on detecting. apprehending. and deporting illegal aliens that are involved in criminal activity. such as drug trafficking. This provision will help ensure that the INS commits enough resources to communities such as mine to combat drug trafficking by illegal aliens. However. while I support immigration reform. I strongly oppose denying education to immigrant children. Educating the children in our communities is. in my view. as important as protecting them from physical harm. We would not stand by and allow someone to physically abuse a child who was in our country illegally.