Agree, I live in Texas now for only 2 months. My friend tells me that its mandatory for school children to take at least 1 year of spanish in Texas schools. I thought he was joking. Whats wrong with this. Should be the other way around. At least 1 year of english should be required.

I'm liking Texas more and more. Good for this superintendent. Somebody probably is going to try and pull a race card on this. Illegal is illegal.

Finally, somebody with a backbone willing to stand up and enforce the law.

teaching them to come here illegally early aint they!

My solution to the immigration problem would be to expel all the men and keep all the women. ;)

You'd see a political ****-storm in Mexico the very next day and this thing would turn around.

Great move (.....Kelt Cooper, superintendent of the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District.)

I would recommend sharing the procedure with all school superintendents across America. This would sure eliminate some of the state and city budget burdens, reduce class sizes, reduce local property taxes, and reduce grants from the federal government. Teachers have always complained about class size, well this will certainly take care of that.

I can just see all the civil rights groups/activists lining up at the local court house supporting individuals who BREAK THE LAW.

Next to tackle......illegal immigrants health care costs.

Rick has a problem. I think Rick needs to go to school in Mexico.

Not a resident - NO ADMITTANCE - comprende?

Calm down Rick calm down, some one will think your a tea bagger, and No one pulled the race card above, They implied some one would and you did.

Rick, people are developing an immunity to being called a racist on matters of law and order. You can't just yell racist and expect people to roll over anymore. The definition of racist isn't a White person who holds someone of a different race to account. Although, you would think it is by the public discourse of the last forty years.

The law, is the law, and that's the law.

Wow, you woke up on the wrong side of the trailer. Honestly I do not car if most of these kids are US citizens. If their parents move to Mexico then they should either pay for their children’s schooling in the US, or let their kids go to school in Mexico. Another point I feel compelled to make is against your argument that if they are residents meaning resident aliens sending their kids to US schools while living in Mexico does not hold any merit. The residency card is only valid if the alien is physically living in the US. Living in Mexico does not give a legal alien the right to send their children to US schools, and can get there residency cards revoked for fraud. To add on to this what rights do you afford the property tax payers in the community. Why should hard working US citizen that live in the community have to pay for these Mexican children’s education. I do agree every high school requires a second language but why should our children be forced to learn Spanish. There are other languages that are more beneficial for our kids to learn like German, or Chinese. It’s not like our children are going to jump the border and work in Mexico, and it’s not like we should cater immigrants that refuse to adapt to our ways. If you come to this country learn the language, and pay taxes if not get the hell out.

Hey RICK, just because people choose to follow the law does not make one a RACIST. It's so sad to see people like you calling hard working Americans racist. The funny part is, people like you ALWAYS play the race card when you don't agree with something. So who is being racial ? YOU ARE.

My Mom was born and raised in the Great State of Texas..........What the hell am I doing in California?

Rick that was a stupid comment. If you read the article correctly only 150 students had a visa to go to school. there were another 400 who did not.

I am with everyone else on this. Why should a U.S. citizen pay to send a mexican to school? I say if they want their kids to go to school here make the PARENT PAY just like it was a private school so that us citizens don't have to pay for their kids to go to school here.

That man Cooper says his district will lose $2.7m in funding if the 400 students are kicked out, how is that helping anyone? His concern isn't that these students are trouble makers or disruptive, he just wants to look like a law and order hard nosed jerk........great job Mr. Cooper!! You not only hurt the Mexican children but also the American children you are supposed to be concerned about. We need LESS people like him running our schools and more who truly care about children!!! Back in the late 1800's and even into the early the SAME attitude was held about the Irish.

Hey TURD do you know how much taxpayer money is spent on Los Angeles county ALONE for illegal aliens? ONE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. That's just L A County. And California turned away FORTY THOUSAND high school graduates that quailfied for college due to budget cuts. How sad is that. We pay out money to illegals and turn away our own children........Sorry PAL but OUR kids come first!!!!!!

It will not happen and the superintendent will most likely be fired by the end of the school year.

That $2.7mil. is money that should be going to American students. Tax money paid for by American income and property taxes. To claim that money by inflating school population by allowing not only non-residents, but non-citizens, takes away from the students throughout the rest of the state who deserve it. If Mexicans want to educate their children in American schools, that is fine. Make them pay for it, like everybody else. There should be some kind of non resident fee to charge these families to make up for the taxes that they don't pay.

This is silly. I just enrolled my daughter in school in Ohio. I had to bring utility bills, a copy of my lease, my drivers license and her original birth certificate before I could even start the enrollment process. Is it really worth the money to have overcrowded schools? It seems no one cares about the kids or their futures. It is all about how much money the schools can get for each child and whether the teachers union is happy. The money is coming from somewhere. How can people justify the expense of teaching these kids when their parents are not contributing. so sad.

Okay I feel compelled to explain myself, First I am not against telling those that can't go to school in the states that they need to find a Mexican school it's fine because those kids have an alternative that is to go to school in Mexico. The only thing I am against is not letting those who can be in the states. Second I don't play Race if it was our nothern border I would say the same thing, Third I'm a U.S citizen born in the states that doesn't mean I immediately feel that I'm better than anyone. Fourth the reason I say Racist is because everyone here is screaming Illega, Illegal but it isn't happening when it comes at the north and I am pretty sure it is the same thing up here. Fourth I will defend my statements about the children's immigration status with the following:

A.) Seventh paragraph first sentence:

" Immigration status isn't an issue in these cases.Immigration status isn't an issue in these cases"

B.) Seventh paragraph third sentence:

"Regardless, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, students who use the bridge enter the U.S. legally because they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents with green cards or Mexicans with student visas."

C.) Seventh paragraph fourth sentence:

"Those visas are used by Mexican students who pay tuition, primarily at parochial schools."

D.) Eight paragraph second sentence:

"Some are uncomfortable with following the letter of the law because doing so could deny U.S. citizen children access to public schools."

As for the charge stating that only 150 kids had visas that's because those were Mexican Nationals who pay tution to go to school in the U.S a U.S citizen doesn't need a visa to get in the U.S at least I don't.

"schools get funding for each student. Statewide, it works out to about $9,400 per student, primarily from local property taxes and state supplements"

MY tax money went to feed (lunches plus) teach, and educate these kids while the families moved to mexico to live cheaply? cheap, thieving and corrupt. I think they should REQUIRE them all to show proof every 6 months. then at least it won't be cheap any more. how many of them used an add from a friend or relative living in the district?

does anyone know how many post office boxes exist on the border towns? approximately 12 for each documented residential dwelling. many of our government benefits such as food stamps, welfare, and family assistance is delivered to these monthly. yet MORE of OUR hard earned money going in taxes to ILLEGALS!!!

final drivel: come here legally (yep, it can be done) pay taxes, work for a living, and I will put my hand out to welcome you. in the mean time, STAY OUT OF MY POCKET AND COUNTRY!!!!

Yes, and if our students classmates spoke fluent english they would be able to progress at a much faster rate. Our kids are way behind the learning curve compared to other countries. if they are not residents, let them go to school where they are residents. Oh, I forgot they have to pay to go to public school in MX.... not our problem.

This is nothing new! Not only is education free, so is healthcare and whatever else the government will give up. It is openly exploited here in AZ. So I`m sure Texas Is the same. glad they are doing something.Believe it or not my legal Mexican friends are fed up too!It makes them look bad they tell me.

Geeze for as bad as America is and the whole world yells YOU SUCK there sure seems to be a lot of people all over the world who come to our country to get their ........................FREE STUFF.....

I wonder if these parents would send their children to DC schools?

See Rick wasn't that better. You didn't have to use the race card. You got your point across, the community didn't have to collapse you. Good job.

As far as I know, having raised 4 kids, English is a mandatory class every year of school. With the way the U.S. economy is, I can understand an American living in Mexico, to survive. Our schools rank below the international standards. Probably they rank higher than Mexico though. One commenter said that this is "taking money away from other students", I guess he/she did not read the story, they get paid, per student. Most of the posters I have read here are just plain racists. There I go "StevesNote", too bad we can afford anything that causes misery (good ol' conservatism) yet when it comes to helping children....

md, they get paid per student from local property taxes and supplements. If you do not live local then you do not pay local property taxes. Before you accuse someone of not reading the story you should probably read it yourself. You can't have it both ways, enjoying the benefits of an American education while living on the cheap in Mexico. That puts an unfair burden on those following the law.

"These kids have all the rights to an American school,"

Uh, no they don't.

Here, let's look at it this way:

Dear Mr. President:

I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me.

We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico , and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements.

We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws.

I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way over?

Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:

1. Free medical care for my entire family.

2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.

3. Please print all Mexican government forms in English.

4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers.

5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history.

6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school.

7. Please plan to feed my grandkids at school for both breakfast and lunch.

8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.

9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico , but, I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws.

10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer.

11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put U S. flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.

12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start.

13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy.

14. I want to receive free food stamps.

15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies.

16. I'll need Income tax credits so although I don't pay Mexican Taxes, I'll receive money from the government.

17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Gov't pays $4,500 to help me buy a new car.

18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement.

I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all his people who walk over to the U.S. from Mexico . I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.

Thank you so much for your kind help. You're the man!!!

I live in NY, and every year I have to prove that I live in the district for my son to attend public school here. We have never lived any where else...if we can do it, so can they!

I grew up in California, 3 hours north of the Mexican border (otherwise known as Los Angeles) and I ALWAYS had to prove my residency to attend any school or had to provide the documentation showing I was allowed to attend another school. ALWAYS. I do not understand the fuss here.

American or not, if you cannot prove that you live in that district, you don't get attend school there (or you apply for whatever transfer they have available). It is that simple.

We recently moved to a town that is outside of the towns that send to my husband's old high school (a very good private prep school). Believe you me, we will follow whatever rule it takes to get our kids in that school and that includes moving in with the MIL so our kids have residency. :-) We have already told her that when she retires, she cannot sell the house until our kids get through school and she agreed.

I don't care for the idea of standing at the bridge or taking photos. That's a bit much (when letters could have just as easily been passed out to every kid at school), but the residency requirement is in existence all over this country. Why on earth should a Texas border town be any different?

Thank you Kelt Cooper for making a stand for Americans. I hope all districts who do not already check to see if the kids live in the district start to enforce their laws. If I lived in that city I would certainly vote for you.

marty-309390

Great job of putting things in perspective.

I loved the comment that "somehow, I think they help our economy" - yes - they buy bubble gum at a local store - oh, I forgot - it's cheaper in Mexico.

Marty,

Thank you. You saved me alot of typing. If only more people would realize these facts!

Complaints from civil rights groups

"Like parents elsewhere who send their children to a better school across town, some parents living in northern Mexico send their children to American public schools believing they are safer and offer better education. Many also hope a U.S. education will provide better access to American colleges and universities."

Figures these idiots would get it all wrong. It also exposes their agenda. So we have unsafe schools that offer a worse education in Mexico. So what do these fools do? They assist those that are breaking the law in this Country instead of working to improve school quality and safety in Mexico. These groups have the attitude of screw the US. Take whatever you can get from them. These same groups wonder why US citizens are fed up with illegals. I have to commend Kelt Cooper. It seems his policy is working. If they are US citizens and want to attend US schools then they must be residents of the school district. What is it with these people? Can we at least ask them to follow a few laws?

And the last question asked is the whole key, "Can we at least ask them to follow a few laws?"

More to the point, CAN'T WE ASK THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY TO ENFORCE A FEW LAWS!!!!!!

ALL I want is for the current laws to be enforced without prejudice and enforced to the full limit!!
AN example of NEW Texas law, if a driver is stopped and doesn't have auto insurance, not only can the driver be arrested, but his/her car can be impounded also. Now the police can hit a database that will allow them to see if the driver of the car has insurance. Will they enforce this law without prejudice?? NO. WHY? Because here in Austin, the illegal aliens have more political power than the U.S. citizen does. What shameful bullch!t is this???????
VOTE out all of the current politicians and get honest hardworking Americans that will fight for honest hard working Americans.

I loved the comment that "somehow, I think they help our economy" - yes - they buy bubble gum at a local store - oh, I forgot - it's cheaper in Mexico.

Yes everyone knows that children are so fiscally responsible and always shop around for the best price.

1. Free medical care for my entire family.

If you work in Mexico you do get Free medical care for your entire family. There is no such program in the US, which is why most people end up going to the emergency room, which they are later billed.

2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.

There are very few people in Mexico that speak English. However you are likely to find a English speaking translator since many schools do teach English. I doubt that US government bureaucrats only perform one function in their job.

3. Please print all Mexican government forms in English.

Again there are very if any people in Mexico that only speak English and again you will easily find a Translator who speaks English. There is no law in Mexico that requires government agencies to make reasonable accommodations, there is in the US.

4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers.

They will be taught Spanish with the rest of the class and depending on where you choose to live there will be a bi-lingual teacher.

5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history.

They already do, it's covered in World History. Only colleges and Universities offer such classes voluntarily in the US.

6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school.

Never going to happen. It does not happen in the US and it does not happen anywhere else in the World.

7. Please plan to feed my grandkids at school for both breakfast and lunch.

The Mexico School System does not provide any meals for their students, maybe in expensive private schools.

8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.

You would have to pass a test, but there are very little government services, the only one is the Health care system which cover everyone that works.

9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico , but, I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws.

Then prepare to spend some quality time with the local law enforcement and Mexican traffic laws are similar to those in the US only less people follow them. I don't know what make you think that being from any county exempts people in the US from receiving a fine for not having car insurance and from any law suit that would arise from any accident. Also I would like to point out that to purchase car insurance you need a Driver's License and since people like you are always railing against Illegals obtaning driver's license you are in fact creating this problem yourselves.

10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer.

There is no place on earth where police simply leave people alone because of who they are. Depending on where you live, like in the northern border there will be a good chance that there will be an English speaking officer. There are no Spanish speaking officers in Georgia and I doubt that it would be much different in most of the US, the only places where there are some Spanish speaking officers are in border cities.

11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put U S. flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.

The Locals don't get told what to do or what not to do by anyone, that is true in any community. There is little protection of free speech in Mexico by the government.

12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start.

So would I, but there is no place in the US and in Mexico where you do not pay taxes or have any labor or tax laws enforced.

13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy.

Unless you are rude you will be treated nicely by the locals and I doubt you would place any strain on the economy since you will be spending your money in the area.

14. I want to receive free food stamps.

So would the many poor people who are starving and begging on the streets. There is no food stamp program in Mexico. Only US citizens or legal residents can receive food stamps in the US.

15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies.

Who give rent subsidies? Mexico does not have any and in the US only Citizens can get them after meeting several conditions and after providing proof of citizenship.

16. I'll need Income tax credits so although I don't pay Mexican Taxes, I'll receive money from the government.

There is no Income tax credits in Mexico and you don't get any money from the government. Illegals who work, pay taxes in, but since they are in the US illegally they will not file their income taxes so what ever they would be due back they Don't get and that money stays in the government and unless they have a high paying job they will not owe anything to the government.

17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Gov't pays $4,500 to help me buy a new car.

The Mexican government does NOT give any money to anyone for anything.

18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement.

There is no Social Security program in Mexico, old people live with their children or live off a pension they might have had. Unless you are a citizen of the US you won't get any Social Security income for retirement.

Rick, the article stated that they were U.S. Citizens, Residents with Green cards, or had student visas. And those with the proper documentation were not effected. The others will be expelled. But, not to worry Rick, they will simply list their kids as living with one of their relatives in the district and still get away with our tax dollars. We will never see the money these illegals are stealing from us.

Hey Rick, are you Mexican?

Thturd, you rant on and on like you know something. Its funny how there where no mention of violence or guns in the article but you throw it out there like your there watching the action. Your an uneducated bigot. Have you ever been to Texas and dealt with the problems the Americans in the border towns have had to deal with? Drugs, violence, and crime? You don't have to go there, just check out the news. These people have a right to be upset and you come here and spout off like your intelligent. Your remarks show otherwise.

very good rebuttal, Phoenix, but I doubt if many here will listen.......

Pheonix and mtpromises, yes that was a nice rebuttal and illegals probably contribute more than they take due to the fact that many pay taxes from their payroll checks without the prospect of ever recieving it back. However, that doesn't mean we need to keep open borders and let people migrate whenever however.

Do some research on the Mexican border, their southern one. They are not so friendly to the even poorer south Americans who try to enter Mexico for a better life.

No major country in the world allows free for all access to anyone. The United states is open for people who legally obtain entry and residency, but it is a double standard to require some follow the rules and at the same time look the other way while millions do not.

We must do a better job of securing our borders for many reasons and enforcing the laws we have. There is nothing racist or immoral about that.

I think Phoenix missed the point.

Ok, getting citizenship is not as easy as it sounds. If you're trying to get citizenship for you and your child, you have to first have a green card. A green card costs around $1000 for an adult, and the child can qualify as a dependent it looks like. Lots of people said you have to also pay for lawyers fees, which can run you another $4000, but I don't know about the lawyer. He/she might not be necessary.
Becoming a citizen costs $1950 for an adult and a child (those are all the filing and administrative fees). So basically, if we exclude the lawyer fees, It costs almost $3000 to become a citizen of the US with your child. Not to mention all of the waiting, many have to wait for years. Plus, most families there consist of more than one adult and one child.
So if you're living in a shack, making a few pesos a day, you're starving, how the hell are you supposed to come up with $3000? You can't just become a citizen people! Get over yourselves.

This is nothing new. Where I used to live, those cops that look for kids ditching school, would follow some of the kids home. Because kids were coming to our school from other towns instead of going to the schools there. Their parents would fill out a fake address in our town so the school thinks that the kids live in our town. And this is NJ.

Mr. Rogers

Do some research on the Mexican border, their southern one. They are not so friendly to the even poorer south Americans who try to enter Mexico for a better life.

South American Immigrants are not going to Mexico for a better life, they are coming to the US, some are also trafficking drugs from South America to the US, that is why they are not so friendly to them.

No major country in the world allows free for all access to anyone. The United states is open for people who legally obtain entry and residency, but it is a double standard to require some follow the rules and at the same time look the other way while millions do not.

Not really those that don't follow the rules will not reap the rewards of coming here legally, they will pay income taxes and not get a return if they qualify, they will not get any government help of any kind, they will have to pay steep fines if they ever decided to get legal residency.

We must do a better job of securing our borders for many reasons and enforcing the laws we have. There is nothing racist or immoral about that.

And I agree with that, however when debating this, or any other issue, spouting out lies, exaggerations, distortions and ignoring all facts takes away from whatever point you are trying to get across.

Phoenix:

"South American Immigrants are not going to Mexico for a better life, they are coming to the US, some are also trafficking drugs from South America to the US, that is why they are not so friendly to them."

Many Illigal Immigrants who come here from Mexico do the same thing. The problem is we have no stiff penalties for those who just cross. This makes it harder to track those who are smuggling drugs and the like. So what exactly is your point on this?

"Not really those that don't follow the rules will not reap the rewards of coming here legally, they will pay income taxes and not get a return if they qualify, they will not get any government help of any kind, they will have to pay steep fines if they ever decided to get legal residency."

If someone enters the U.S. legally then they would be entitled to all rights as a U.S. Citizen. If they commit a crime then they will be imprisoned. How will their income tax return not be refunded? If they are not here legally then they have no rights and it is a mute point.

"And I agree with that, however when debating this, or any other issue, spouting out lies, exaggerations, distortions and ignoring all facts takes away from whatever point you are trying to get across."

This one just doesn't make any sense to me. What lies are you referring to? There were no specifics listed in the example you posted and it is confusing.

Simply put. It is a problem to the American Tax Payer. Some aren't effected by it as much as others simply because it isn't in their face on a daily basis. It is also an illegal activity that has been taken out of the hands of the Government due to special interest groups who have used the laws of America against America. The Mexican people should be in Mexico trying to fix their education system not breaking ours.

Very interesting, people in TX can't pick on people of their own size, so they start picking off the kids regardless of their nationalities, but simply base on their skin color.... If you really have guts, then start with AUSTIN. Setup a table, and inspect EVERY kid that comes into your school. NO ID, NO SCHOOL.... But, then you Texans really don't have the guts...

That is why you carry guns. Manhood is measured by the size of the barrel...Yes, the Texas way, shoot and then ask questions. What a joke of a district policy. Kinda like the Alamo... First steal the territory from the Mexicans, then start your own country, when all fails, beg the USA military to intervene. Hmmm, there is definitely a pattern here.

Oh, what about that 1/10 built border fence? It now requires 10 BILLION $ to maintain over the next 10 years. Whose jackasssss idea was that??? THE SAME GROUP OF IDIOTS. Are you sure Texans are cattle ranchers, because they sure Bah like sheeps.

Give me a break with the yahoos out there using NO MONEY as the excuse. Cut back on military spending! Where were you guys when we are spending ludicrous amount of money on 2 wars!!!!! Do you really want your kids grow up like us or do you want them better than us?

Invest in the future, and with those kids who are willing to risk much to attend better school. More power to them. However, singling them out is simple SCAPE GOATING by the fringe group, because they know this is an easy racial and age group to target. Tell me how much do a mortar shell earn for USA? We invest in these kids, we will have adults that will less likely to become gang members, be more involved with communities and labor force. These are the same people who will more likely to become productive for USA as they enter adulthood, providing more incentive and competitiion for our kids to become better. Sorry for the digression.

Simply, the fringe group is simply scapegoating!!! As to Illegal aliens all over the states? Don't they rent? don't they pay sales tax? do they buy food? do they pay utilities? do they work? Give me a break with the ONE SIDED arguement that the illegal take and not give. YOU simply don't want to see.

Ask yourself, wasn't this how the Nazis party protrayed the Jews after WWI? "The illegals who are taking jobs, food, education, and culture from our HOMELAND?" Practice what you preach to your children...

You want you kids to go to school in the US to better their futures? Great! BUT, do it legally and get a student VISA and pay your dues!!!

I'm going to school in the UK for my masters, paying an arm and a leg for tuition, and it was the biggest pain in the butt to get my student VISA! But, it's the law. I followed the law, I'm paying my dues, why shouldn't they have to?

Civil rights groups, hey, what about the rights of the American students who are now forced into overworked teachers with over sized classes? Why aren't you fighting for their rights since its their parents and the neighbors who are footing the bill for their education?!

None of y'all really care about the tax dollar otherwise you'd be complaining about the hundreds of billions wasted by the government in our treaties with NATO and the UN. Most of y'all just don't like our neighbors to the south.

Someone explain this to me: These students are Americans. Are their parents Americans as well? If so, why did these American parents move to Mexico? Even if Texas is expensive to live in, wouldn't there be some type of shelter, aid, etc. that could help these families? And, can't these people move to another part of Texas, one that was the least expensive? I know job-wise would be a problem, but still. . .

It didn't state that these students are American. It stated that some of them were American living in Mexico. Some are residents or have visas. About 400 do not have visas nor are they residents or American.

I don't understand how any children go to schools in districts they don't live in. We've always had to show proof of residency anywhere we lived - Illiois, Washington State and California. I don't see how requesting proof makes the superintendent racist or illegal hating or pro one group or another. If the Mexican parents want their children in the better, safer American schools, perhaps we can charge them tuition. I really don't see why this particular situation is so heated...

somebodies been drinking the kool aid

To those using the race card, PLEASE stop. Has nothing to do with race or heritage, it has to do with people breaking the laws and now somebody is calling them on it.

And for those of you whom don't know about taxes and filing tax returns, the illegal aliens file their tax returns because they are supposed to show "they want to follow the rules like Americans".

And when it comes to filing their taxes, every penny an illegal alien pays, when they file, they get back. That includes income taxes and all taxes related to social security.

Please, before you start spouting off at the mouth about something you don't know, do a little research!!!

Google... International Taxpayer Identification Number

Evidently they often play Stupid. This has been going on for years and years and years. Americans have spent so much money on these kids and we have not seen a dime from them in property taxes. So you smucks down in Del Rio are paying very high property taxes for illegal kids sponging off YOU. Protest your taxes! All the border towns are doing this even Leredo has issues like this. Its all up and down the the Rio Grand.

the civil rights groups should be looking at how much resources this takes away from legal american students. go fight the mexican government and get those kids a good education. now congress is quietly working on legislation to grant amnesty to all the illegals with the road to citizenship. we must get this idiocy stopped. illegal means criminal. keep them out since they have proven they do not respect our laws.

What part of "They have student visas, They are Citizens" don't you understand?

hey, if you live on the border of one state to another, or one county to another, or one school district to another, and you want your children to attend a school that is NOT in your designated school district, you have to pay tuition. problem solved.

Phoenix-77

Obviously some of these kids are not legal residents. I don't see what the big deal is because in my city which is 9 hours north of the border, we are required to prove residency to attend school in whatever district you are attending.

It's simply the law, you must live in a district to attend those schools. This is because if you don't live in that district you are NOT paying the taxes for your kids to attend so you are getting a free ride at the expense of others.

phoenix what part of only 150 had student visas, the other 400 do not, why are you so eager to give our property taxes to illegals???

I don't see what the big deal is because in my city which is 9 hours north of the border, we are required to prove residency to attend school in whatever district you are attending.

The only problem that could arise from such a tactic is that it would only target Hispanics, I have no problem if they implement this evenly to all students. I live in Georgia and when I went to school we also had to prove residency, so I don't see a problem with that.

why are you so eager to give our property taxes to illegals???

Why are you so eager to ignore that you may be giving your property taxes to students from a different district? As I have stated I have no problem with a school requiring students to prove residency the only thing I have a problem with is that it is targeting Hispanics unfairly.

well Duh!! it's the Hispanics that they are having the problem with. How many illegals do you know and when was the last time you were in Texas.

if it quacks like a duck,walks like a duck and looks like a duck...good chance it's a duck?

The only problem that could arise from such a tactic is that it would only target Hispanics

Phoenix, they are coming across the Mexican border. There is a fair chance they will not be having alot of problems with German children without student visas sneaking across the border.

Hey Phoenix-77

Let me help you with some facts. You have been making a point that illegals pay taxes but get no refund because they can't file a tax return. Well when your in your early 20's and claim 8-10 dependants to your employer (if the employer isn't paying them under the table and the employer does require them to fill out a tax form for employment) then I don't think there is much if any taxes withheld. Yes they do it all the time and are couched by other illegals on how to fill out the withholding tax forms. My son witness it first hand and was told to mind his own business. Also as soon as they come across the border they have LOTTO babies just to work our system for rent assistance, food stamps and medicare. Keep in mind that the babies are also delivered free because they use false Soc. Sec. numbers which is another big problem "IDENTITY THIEF". That's not even talking about them using that stolen number for mortgages or auto loans. But when they are caught they just drive that nice truck across the border and the banks play hell trying to get it back. Our second biggest export to Mexico is our money. Most don't want to live here and just want to build a nice egg nest back home. If we also grant them amnesty then they would qualify for Social Security benefits down the road with putting very little in and they would just have those monthly checks mailed back to their real home MEXICO. Just think of what that would do to our already strained Soc. Sec. system.

Granting Another Amnesty Just Sends The Wrong Message To These Criminals! We did it twice before and they just keep coming and breaking our laws. It just does work! Start Enforcing Our Laws Instead Of Changing Them For Criminals!

Phoenix,

How is this targeting HIspanics unfairly if all students must show proof of residency?

I pay the same property tax. I live in Arizona too. I think you and I and a few fellow Americans need to have a talk with our local legislature.

The party is over for both Mexico and Canada!!! "We the people," are taxed out and fed-up.....Please, everyone.....write your congressman(woman), local mayor, and school board member. Attach...Attach...Attach a hard copy of this story and mail it to them....ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.....

Hey rancher I'm in Tucson also and remember that. There was also one recently where they deported the family because the kid got busted and all the bleeding hearts whipped up a frenzy, saying how unfair it was.

Yeah, seems cops have more time to write tickets than go after illegal aliens breaking the law. Those are woosey cops.

You need to learn a thing or two about a basic beat cop's job. They are told what they can and cannot do. It is called department policy.

Von, and here I was thinking that I pay my local Police Officers to Support and Defend. In reality I am just paying them to generate funds for local and state government. Its a shame.

That's true.

One day we won't need any schools. One day this will be all over and the judgement books will be opened. You either piss now in your pants or at the alter.

"judgement"? "alter"?

WTF, dude; you don't need a judgment book, you need a book on spelling and composition. I've seen dead bodies who had a better command of the English language than you do.

One day we won't need any schools. One day this will be all over and the judgement books will be opened. You either piss now in your pants or at the alter.

Uh, I vote for later...

This has nothing to do with political affiliation, its the law that has been skirted for generations, and now that someone is willing to enforce it, people who *Know* what they are doing is wrong, they are not getting mad, but finding country residences.

Im very liberal, and I agree with the Super on this. If we simply enforced rules we have, its amazing where we could be as a country.

And how can these parents from Mexico get a residence legally in the US for their kids to go to school here IF they don't have a green card to work here? I'm sorry but the SC made a mistake on that ruling of proof of citizenship not being required for any government services. Most school districts require a birth certificate for enrollment. Isn't that the same thing as proving citizenship? Make them show their BC, their naturalization if foreign born, AND proof of US residency within the school district. Many localities have that same residency rule for public safety employees, why not for the schools, since most of their budget comes from LOCAL taxes (usually property taxes, not income, sales, or otherwise.) The property owners (both residential and commercial) are the ones who pay dearly to educate our youth, whether we have children in those school or not. There is nothing in the Constitution that says we have to give free education to our youth is there? It is the state constitutions that grant (in various forms) the rights to "free" public education. That is why there have been court cases in various states on what "fees" local school districts can charge (lunchrooms, supplies, textbook "rentals", extra-curricular activities, etc.) If you don't live in the school district and pay taxes in that district, then you should have to pay a tuition fee to send your kids to that school. PERIOD. That's why most state colleges and universities charge an out-of-state higher tuition fee. Why should the K-12 program be any different?

Unfortuantly, the problem of residency is only one that the border comunities deal with. Here in my city.. we have many illegal aliens, but as pointed out in the article, the schools are forbidden by a Supreme Court ruling to verify if a student is legal or illegal. We have to pay to educate the illegal's like it or not because they are residing in the community. Most of the school districts across this country have that same problem. What we need is a law forcing employers, schools, and landlords to verify legal status before allowing someone to rent, get a job, or go to school.

Because illegals can rent apartments in the United States (while being here illegally) and therefore are able to show residency. Remember, the Supreme Court stated that schools could not ask immigration status.

smp... I gotta agree with the poster on this one... as liberal as I am, I agree with the Super. Liberals mostly don't like Illegals because they aren't paying taxes and in turn hurting themselves more ... no retirement etc. The law is the law, and it is not to be broken. It is a bummer that a few noisy-dont-have-a-grip on reality liberals (as well as conservatives) scream so loud that they feel like they speak for all.

I hope that made sense, still having my cup of coffee...

If they are renting an apartment, then they are indirectly paying property tax, just the same as a legal resident who rents. I've run into the residency requirements for districts myself in upstate New York. It wasn't racist, it was about who was funding the school my kids were in. If I wanted to pay "tuition" for my kids to go out of district, I could have. That did not relieve me of the property taxes for the district I lived in. It's really no different that if you choose to send your kid to private school.

In pretty much every community in the USA, only PROPERTY OWNERS pay property taxes, so in theory part of the apartment owners income goes to pay property taxes, but nobody living in an apartment pays any property taxes directly. If you are worried about your property taxes going to provide an education to an American citizen whose family is unable to afford to live anywhere else, get an apartment and you will no longer get a property tax bill. People who are all in a snit about this are just like many Seniors and childless folks who feel (and have filed lots of lawsuits about it) they should not have to pay the part of property taxes that go to schools because they do not think they should have to pay for other peoples' children to get an education. I personally believe that since every American child is guaranteed a free public education, and there are no residency requirements attached to that guarantee, the kids should be allowed to go to school. Their families may be too poor to live in Texas, but they are American children and therefore entitled to go to school for free, in the USA.

It isn't our job to take care of every nations poor or to educate their children. They should make their own government do it or move here legally....Get it legally.

My oldest son served in the Marine Corp. for 5 years and was deployed in Iraq twice. But when he came back home and went to enroll in our local college he was told he had to pay out of state tuition even though he was born and raised here in Florida. The real slap in the face was that he was told that if he was an illegal then he would qualify for in state tuition. That make sense to anybody?

Betty you are so right!

There is not enough room for US citizens to attend the community colleges in Los Angeles but there is room for illegals. And they do not make them pay out of state tuition.

They are also getting grants to help with tuition and books.

It is all so very, very wrong!

Betty-

I feel for you, and your outrage is well placed. I went to Texas A&M in the late 80's, as an out of state student. I thought it appropriate that the state universities be there for Texas residents first, and didn't mind paying out of state tuition. Recently, I've heard of Hispanic groups pushing for in state tuition for illegals. Right is wrong, wrong is right. The world is being turned upside down.

I contend this is all the product of cultiral marxism. Look it up, it will explain everything.

"Cooper estimates his district of 10,000 students would lose $2.7 million if 400 students were expelled."

American taxpayers would save $2.7 million if they kicked out the illegals, and this is just one school district with 10,000 students!!! How many tens of millions(if not hundreds) does this amount to when all illegal students are counted?

"Complaints by civil rights groups" (moan!)

Definition of civil rights in Columbia Encyclopedia: "rights that a nation's inhabitants enjoy by law"

Betty

Sounds like you need some new senators that use reason not compassion. Somehow these politician forget who they are representing once they get in office.

Betty,

I hear you on the illegals getting in state tuition, and agree; however, I have lived in 5 different states, and one always has to meet the residency requirements for that state before receiving instate tuition. The length of residency varies by state. The only time I saw in state tuition granted for someone who newly moved into the state was in the case of the Military, and rightfully so.

states that border each other also have in-state tuition for SOME out of state residents--here we call it reciprocity

Betty, people who are here illegally feel this way because they are being told the deserve it. Those who support Illegals and push for their rights are telling them daily that they have and deserve everything you and I have even though most do not pay taxes. It is a very twisted concept brought on by ACLU lawyers who defend the illegals as if they were American citizens. Come here legally and pay taxes then we can talk rights issues. PERIOD. This message needs to be put out by the supreme court of America.

"I have a solution for you Betty, claim your children are 1/8 American Indian or Alutian (Eskimo), are the powers that be going to follow up and see if you're incorrect?"

You are right! I have denied my 1/16th American Indian heritage too long!! No more caucasian status for me. I want eveything that is owed to me and my proud people. I got a race card in my pocket, now, and I'm not afraid to use it!

you can't just claim that you are Native American...........you have to prove it with either an Identification card issued by the tribe, or an Indian enrollment form issued by the US Dept of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bad enough if you don't have a kid you are still required to pay taxes

I'm curious Ken, did you go to public or private grade schools? And, if I don't drive, my property tax revenue is still used to maintain the local roads. Boo Hoo! I want a refund (sarcasm)

mom of 2, irate ken does have a point..........I don't have any kids, so I have seen some of this. example: some places that I have worked that provide health insurance have charged the SAME employee contribution rates for singles as for those with children....I thought it was unfair to charge me as much as a family....I was subsidizing those with families

My point to Ken is: he most likely attended public school himself and therefore, received an education paid for by both those with and without children. It was okay when he was getting his. We educate our youth because it is what is best for our country, businesses, etc. (and, I'm not talking about the kids in this story. If you want your kids in US schools, live in district.)

I agree with you on the insurance costs. You should not pay as much as those with a family plan.

yes, mom of 2, I don't begrudge any of the taxes I have paid going to education--I'm all for smarter kids, but, if you don't live in the district....you pay tuition....problem solved.

Yeah, why can't they get a good school on the Mexico side? One that will make U.S. schools envious? What a POS country. Somebody over there take some action and stop mooching off of US!!!

Won't be much left to mooch if things keep up as they are.

Doug, I liked your last sentence. Laws are established to in effect, bring some semblance of order out of chaos. Compassion, empathy or fairness doesn't enter into it. If it does, it gives one person an advantage over another. If it does, we don't need full grown adult judges. We can use 8 year olds who eat less and are subsidized by their parents and will work cheap. And if groups or individuals are allowed to adhere to any law they choose, then in fairness, the tax paying, legally voting citizens of a given community should then be allowed to clean up their community in any way they choose. Brute force? Why not. Why should illegals be the only ones entitled to ignore any law they choose.

One part of the article that caught my eye was the scramble to rent apartments to establish residency. Unless you pack 3-5 families into the apartment, wouldn't it be cheaper to pay for private school, which would then entitle them to student visas? Has anyone else noticed that those in the past or present that beat the drum for "zero population growth" are the same ones now (and in the past) demanding open borders and amnesty? Bit of a conflict there. I can't wait for the Chinese to dump a billion of their citizens in the United States to relieve their overcrowding, and see how loud the fairness crowd howls. But hey, all of this will become a mute point when congress passes the amnesty bill. 20+million more for subsidized health care and education. Not to mention all those votes. Kinda makes a mockery of those who came here legally.

Canemah

They will rent one apartment but it would be used by 3-5 families. Thats why they can work for pennies on the dollar. They also have and will bring down our standard of living. We have over 10 million unemployed Americans but we have over 12 million illegals in this country already with hundreds if not thousands still trying to cross our borders every week.

Besides 9/10 of the monies they earn in America isn't spent here anyway, It's wired back to Mexico to their famlies. That's why 15 illegals sleep in one apartment

yeah, right adrian, im sure the next einstein will come from these ignorant peasants... more likely, we are educating a new generation of gang bangers and welfare moms

Where to begin? A three million dollar shortfall is not as bad as it sounds. If the child is not there, there are no expenses, such as school supplies, free lunches etc. I would hope a future president of Mexico would not be one of these kids, as they are all learning how to abuse our system, with the aid of their own government. If having the law enforced causes trauma, so be it. The bottom line is that the parents are not contributing citizens to the local economy. In the schools where we live, not only is proof of residency required, but proof of immunizations as well. I wonder if these children have even been immunized? If not, they are importing dangerous diseases as well....

I salute the administration of the Del Rio school system, and hope they continue to do what is right, and what the law requires, regardless of individuals and organizations that would do their best to destroy and circumvent our laws.

I agree with the gang banger comment. Gun toting gangsta openly riding in the back of some pickup truck, taking part in the 10,000 slayings in Mexico over dope. Somewhere in Mexico there is a university that teaches corruption and ways to make a quick peso.

keith is a fool - it's one thing to not want to educate these kids, I agree, but your insults really say a lot about you. You have my sympathy.

That 3mil is money taken from American students elsewhere in the state. Your taking 3 million from other LEGAL residents to educate these freeloaders.

dan, do u live in l.a.? if u did, u would remember the good ole days when crime was down and their was no grafitti anywhere... u could go to the zoo or the beach without being swamped by illegals and their stupid music... u could send your kids to public schools without being worried about crime and the general stupidity of the student pop... u could actually go shopping without having to read everything in spanish.. i think i have earned the right to my hatred, dont u?

It is amaising to me that someone(parents of these Mexican children) could sit and carefully calculate how to cheat the system and sneek their kids into an American school and be defended. If you remove the 400 children from that school system, you won't need the 3 million dollars that you will lose.

"I am the great American and deserve to bear the burden of the world on my back. This is because I have surpassed the rest of the worlds living standards in as little as 400 years and I should be ashamed. I owe all of these other people everything that I have and should have them infrige on my way of life at their will."

According to the article, these children are AMERICAN CITIZENS, whose families cannot afford to live in Texas - NOT "Illegals." Under our Constitution, ALL American children are guaranteed a Free, Public Education, and nowhere in that document does it state a residency requirement. There are two options that make sense to me. First, do what most American schools do - charge an "out-of-district" fee for students who live out of the district, or second, build a separate school for kids who do not live in that particular district. It is our legal obligation to provide that free, public education to every American child - which is a good thing, so it seems like a waste of time to argue about it. We should all be grateful nobody in this comment string was among those who founded this nation - our Founders may have had some things wrong, but they let all of our families immigrate here - no matter what language we spoke. Too bad we have become so small minded that we only want folks who look and talk like ourselves. The words on the base of the Statue of Liberty should be annual required reading for all of us - we're so busy feeling superior we forget we were not the original inhabitants of this country, and many of us spoke other languages and came here with nothing. Now that we have bettered our own lives, we think it is okay to keep others out.

Hey Robin

It's not in our Constitution for free education for children. It was a law passed that required it after the Constitution was written. But feel free to open your wallet to educate the world if you want. Just keep my money for children that are in this country legally...again legally not line jumpers that don't follow our nations laws. If your breaking the law then you must be a criminal get it. It's not our job as Americans to take care of every countries poor because their government is corrupt and doesn't take care of their own. Mexico isn't a poor country by the way did you know that? This has nothing to do about their race or color it's about whats right or legal and people that are using OUR system or social services. Our founding fathers let people migrate here LEGALLY.

Isn't it funny how the states closest to the southern border are the few who DON'T enforce these rules? In Ohio, about the only thing they do not ask for when enrolling a kid in school is a baby book LOL

Do you also have to provide proof of immunizations?

Boom in Arizona you can sign a waiver for immunizations and just prove you live in the district , water bill,electric bill ect.

Do you also have to provide proof of immunizations

We do, but you can sign a waiver for religious beliefs. Here in Colorado, we have statewide open enrollment. Meaning you can attend any district as long as that district and school have room. It is up to the individual principal, and is on a year to year basis. You still must prove residency.

"world class @!$%#hole"

Here Here!

My kids have to get up early to catch the bus. Can I now send them to Harvard free of charge? Please?

Boom, I drive one of those yellow buses that kids have to get up early for. I have one load of kids on my bus each day, about 55 kids total, and all but about 8 of them are of Mexican decent. No clue as to how many of them are here legally or not... but I do know that most of the parents speak no English, and many of the kids do not speak English on the bus. I speak no Spanish... so there is a major communication problem. But, we are barred from verifying if they are here legally or not. All we can verify is is they are currently a resident of our school district.

Mgm... The communication problem can indeed be a major safety issue. Of course, the government remedy will be that YOU have to be bilingual in order to get a job. I lived in California for 2 years and was not bilingual and could not BELIEVE how many jobs it was required for! Ridiculous.

Everyone needs to read this article a little more carefully.  It said that the kids are NOT sneaking over the border.  The kids are coming over legally.  Some are coming over legally with a school visa.  Those kids are not the problem, as they are going to a private school that their parents have paid for.  The problem is kids who have either U.S. citizenship (parents moved across the border to save money or something to that effect) or have a green card.  They can legally cross the border, but their families don't live in the district.  This is NOT about illegal immigrants, this is about LEGAL immigrants or U.S. CITIZENS who are breaking the rules by not living in the district that they send their children to.  This situation is similar to parents who sign up their kids in a better school in a nearby city in the same state.  They are breaking a rule, but it is not the rule that many on this board are claiming they are breaking.

yep, chris, you're right....pay tuition, problem solved

if they were paying tuition it wouldnt be a problem but even though the kids seem to be legal although someone should verify that! its the fact their parents are living in mexico and therefore not paying taxes or property taxes thats the problem, their kids are getting free education from the actual residents of texas, thats fraud.

I'm saying that no matter where they choose to live, if they are legal residents, they should be allowed to go to school and get an education. If they don't reside in the district to which they are sending their kids, then they must pay tuition to that district. That tuition replaces the property taxes that all the residents are paying.

Hometowngirl, someone is verifying that these kids are legally crossing the border. It is being done at the border. The story says that they are not crossing at some remote point but at a bridge.

Amen Chris - the article says that these kids are American citizens, whose families cannot afford to live in Texas. Nevertheless, our Constitution says that every American child is entitled to a FREE, public education. Kids have no control over family income or residence, and the Constitution has no residency requirement, so I guess we need either another school for non-district kids, or an out-of district fee, as long as it can be waived if an American child is destitute. Unfortunately this has been turned into an anti-Mexican line of comments instead of about the actual article.

We send them millions of social security checks each month...why not....kinda like south California

Why would we want a dump like that?

Bob... you want to know "Why we would want a dump like that"?? Got a one word answer for you on that.... OIL

Oil my AZZ, It's always oil are it's the race card. next time when I get my water bill, I will just take the School tax off and if the other 200 million working people did, we would get some attention. My tax money is for Americans only.

Make Mexico a state? No, no, a thousand times no. We did that with Texas in 1845 and wound up with Lyndon Byrd and Dubya. Can't have that again.

I'm totally for education. A U.S Citizen should be allowed to attend U.S.A schools. I beleive we provide U.S.A education to any military family that does not live in the U.S. of A. So wether we like it or not our U.S. Citizens will be taught the American Education. Or should we put a U.S.A School in every bordering country of ours so we can educate our U.S.A born children. This kids will one day work and pay for our social security. Don't you for get it!

Grace go to school and PLEASE GET an EDUCATION  you are so lost!  Social Security? You better forget about that!  A person who is educated already knows that SS is a poor mans bet! 

How long has this been going on under the Republican watch???

grace - at least military families are paying taxes to pay for their kids education, thats the issue here, the mexicans need to pay taxes or tuition if they want their kids to attend american schools whilst living in mexico.

Grace, being retired military who had a daughter graduate from an American school overseas, I'm offended. You misrepresent our military families by saying that the you pay for military schools. I was in for twenty years and payed taxes the whole time. Well there was a six month period where I was stationed in a war zone that was tax free. I get a military retirement which is taxed. I don't get your point. Are you suggesting that because people come here illegally and have their kids that these children should be catered to. I am still wondering how an illegal act can make these children citizens. There is no guarantee that these kids will pay anything for you or I. As far as We know they can be improving themselves on our dime to better their own country. The country where most of our American Made Cars and Parts are now manufactured. We are a split Continent for a reason.

Grace is right - the story says these are AMERICAN kids - they are entitled to a Free, Public Education. Read the story - they are here LEGALLY, their families just cannot afford to live in Texas! Under the Constitution all American kids are entitled to a free, public education - there is no residency requirement. And she is also right that they will probably move back to US as soon as they can and contribute to our tax base. This is not about "Illegals." It is about American Citizen children.

The story says that a few are American kids. Not all. About 400 come over without any visa or anything. Now with that said. If these kids were all American citizens who moved to Mexico with their families, isn't it their families responsibility to either pay to go to that certain school (that is required for persons living outside a district in Texas), or get them to a good school in Mexico? The parents may not be legal though, which is probably true in some of the cases. Either way, they do not live in the district and the people who are in the district end up having to take up the slack for these kids.

Grace we don't know if these are American Children or not. Remember they are not allowed to ask for proof of American Citizenship under the Supreme Court ruling.

But either way, if they aren't contributing to the tax base of that school system, then they have ZERO right to be there. END OF STORY.

yes thats the easiest solution , we should end citizenship unless at least one parent is an american citizen, just because a military spouse gives birth in germany doesnt mean her kid has german citizenship, citizenship is based on your parents citizenship. children born to illegals should also be illegal.