Thread: Phoenix: Immigration Fallout Seen In Schools

Immigration Fallout Seen In Schools
Illegal Immigrants Fear Sending Kids To Class

POSTED: 9:49 am MST January 11, 2008
UPDATED: 1:42 pm MST January 11, 2008


PHOENIX -- An increasing number of illegal immigrants say they are afraid of sending their children to school for fear of being deported.

"It has created a hysteria across the Valley," said Noe Carrasco, a parent.

"What's happening is parents are very afraid," said Silvia Yamasaki, another parent. "The parents are scared they don't want to go out, they don't want to go to work. You don't know what's going to happen."

Yamasaki said the word has spread that children and their families will be detained by police officers or immigration officers and the parents are keeping their children home.

The concern has translated into a significant drop in attendance, especially in one west Phoenix school district.

"From last year to this year, we're down 500 kids," said Abedon Fimbres of the Isaac School District. "We have children who are citizens of the United States who are not receiving an education which they are entitled to under federal law and state law," Fimbres said.

A meeting was held Thursday night to address parental fears.

The district told parents the 400 children who attend their schools will be safe and have a right to an education.

http://www.kpho.com/news/15029428/detail.html

"What's happening is parents are very afraid," said Silvia Yamasaki, another parent. "The parents are scared they don't want to go out, they don't want to go to work. You don't know what's going to happen."

Yamasaki said the word has spread that children and their families will be detained by police officers or immigration officers and the parents are keeping their children home.

Why would anybody in their right mind want to live like this? They need to go back to their country and take their children with them.

Well, I guess if a kid is enrolled in school and doesn't show up, the schools are supposed to charge the parent for the kid's truancy. Are the PHX school districts blowing off this normal action to protect them? They'd readily follow-up on an American's kid for the same incident. I wonder what their policies are?

The latinos have the highest drop-out rate in schools anyway. They're just saving the taxpayers more money. GO HOME!!!!

I think that this is going to be handled under a registration "report to deport" policy. A family would not leave before the end of the school year. I hope that this does not turn into a pass until high school graduation.

charge the parents for what, VIOLATION OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS??? pack it up amigos, time for repatriation!!!

This is what they are supposed to do, but do they do it?

If we do not receive a phone call or an absence note within a 24 hour period, the absence will be documented as unexcused, 3 unexcused absences will place the child in the City of Phoenix Operation AIM (Attendance is Mandatory) Program, and the parent will receive a warning letter from the district, 5 unexcused absences will result in notification to the City Prosecutor's Office and 6 unexcused absences results in the student being cited with a possible $150.00 fine. Remember if your child is absent he/she must bring a note from home explaining the reason for absence upon returning to school. This note often helps us in determining possible honors or other positive actions your child may receive, which he/she might not otherwise obtain.

Can they bring a note in Spanish? What if the parent is illiterate?

We need to send the 14th amendment to the supreme court. Its the "anchor baby" that is keeping them here. It is the anchor babies who will be voting. I know some congressmen were trying to do something about this. I believe it is HB 1990? Whats going on with that?

Set new precedent and overturn the Horace Gray opinion on Wong Kim Ark Case covering even the children of illegal aliens.

It's not a fallout, it's a windfall of savings.

This is what they are supposed to do, but do they do it?

If we do not receive a phone call or an absence note within a 24 hour period, the absence will be documented as unexcused, 3 unexcused absences will place the child in the City of Phoenix Operation AIM (Attendance is Mandatory) Program, and the parent will receive a warning letter from the district, 5 unexcused absences will result in notification to the City Prosecutor's Office and 6 unexcused absences results in the student being cited with a possible $150.00 fine. Remember if your child is absent he/she must bring a note from home explaining the reason for absence upon returning to school. This note often helps us in determining possible honors or other positive actions your child may receive, which he/she might not otherwise obtain.

Can they bring a note in Spanish? What if the parent is illiterate?

The kid writes it and the parent signs it.