Thread: AZ-Study: Mexican residents illegally attending AZ schools

Study: Mexican residents illegally attending Arizona schools
Reported by: Katie Fisher
Email: kfisher@abc15.com
Last Update: 5:25 pm

TUCSON, AZ -- An investigation conducted by the Arizona Department of Education has revealed that a substantial number of Mexican residents are being bused to public schools in Ajo in violation of Arizona law.

ADE Superintendent Tom Horne says he initiated his own investigation into the situation after little was done by the Pima County School Superintendent.

"I am releasing video evidence that shows very clearly that Mexican residents are being bused from the international border crossing at Lukeville, to attend school at the Ajo Unified School District," Horne stated. "Arizona law is clear: public school students, regardless of their citizenship, must reside within the state."

According Horne, his department has received multiple complaints from residents in the area who had either witnessed the illegal activities or knew of Mexican residents attending Ajo schools.

"Earlier this year, the Arizona Department of Education formally requested the Pima County School Superintendent to provide verification of U.S. residency for all students who attend schools in the Ajo district. This request was repeatedly rebuffed," said Horne.

ADE spokesperson Amy Rezzonico said video footage reveals that shortly after the Lukeville border crossing opens on school days, Mexican residents enter the U.S. either on foot or by car and students board school buses parked approximately 200 yards north of the border.

"I have asked the Arizona Attorney General's office to investigate this matter further. Arizona taxpayers cannot be expected to pay for the education of students who don't live in Arizona and I am committed to putting a stop to this illegal activity," Horne concluded.

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/centr ... vNBaQ.cspx

AZ school chief says video shows illegal activity
Posted: Dec 15, 2009 5:26 PM CST
Updated: Dec 15, 2009 6:11 PM CST


Arizona's school chief Tom Horne says this video is proof of illegal activity



Video Gallery


By Mindy Blake - email

LUKEVILLE, AZ (KOLD) - The head of Arizona public schools says he has proof that Mexican students are illegally attending Ajo Schools.

Tom Horne sent one of his staffers down to the Lukeville port of entry to shoot video of children getting on school buses.

The video does not show children crossing the border.

Horne says, "It's hard to tell how many there are, but the fact that they needed two full size buses.. So we are probably talking about a substantial number."

Children who live in Lukeville go to Ajo schools.

A representative from the Pima County Superintendent's Office tells us the office requires proof of U.S. residency for children to get on a school bus in Lukeville.

He said the office is not an enforcement agency, and it's not their job to go knocking on doors.

The location where the video was shot is a regular school bus stop in Lukeville.



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