Limits on ESL training on Oregon ballot

Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow - 9/11/2008 5:00:00 AM

The president of Americans for Legal Immigration is applauding an Oregon ballot measure that would limit the amount of time students can spend in English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes.



William Gheen of Americans for Legal Immigration says the ballot measure in the Beaver State is born out of frustration from the American people, who he claims are tired of the entitlement attitude of many illegal immigrants.

"Most illegal aliens seem to have the opinion that everything English -- training in English, education, healthcare, legal advice, the whole nine yards -- should be provided to them free of charge, courtesy of the U.S. taxpayers. And people are sick and tired of that," he argues.

According to Gheen, many ESL instructors are frustrated that illegal aliens do not have a strong desire to learn the language, and come and go from the classes as they please.

"And the end result," he continues, "is that the American taxpayer is not only paying for these classes, but they are also paying for the interpreters in the hospitals and in the schools." And at the same time, he adds, "a lot of Americans who are not bilingual in Spanish [and English] are being excluded from jobs in the healthcare and educational...industries."

If the ballot measure passes, Oregon would limit to two years the amount of time non-English speaking high school students can spend in ESL training. California, Arizona, and Massachusetts already have similar laws.


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