Thread: Stand-in city council debates undocumented immigrants

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Stand-in city council debates undocumented immigrants
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 01/02/2008 04:28:07 PM MST


After a spirited discussion, a stand-in city council voted today to allow undocumented immigrants to attend public school.
The hypothetical question was an exercise in government debate by a dozen high school juniors and seniors, who sat briefly today in the seats of El Paso City Council members for Youth in Government Day.

Walt Phillips, who helped organize the event, said the pretend motion, "El Paso public schools should allow illegal immigrants students," was "appropriate and timely."

It was as controversial among teenagers as it is among adults.

"What about the students whose parents pay taxes but they do nothing with themselves? There are students who are immigrants and who try to better themselves. They're going to benefit the community more," said Felicia Alba, of Americas High School, who sat in East-Valley Rep. Eddie Holguin's seat.

"You're sort of favoring them against us, and we're the ones who pay taxes," said Stephanie Teaney, of Loretto Academy, at West-Central city Rep. Susie Byrd's desk.

Robert Ordoñez, of Americas High School, who acted as City Clerk, chimed in.

He brought up a federal case that established that undocumented immigrants were entitled to free public education, like any other children.

"And everybody is entitled to human rights, which include medical help in case of an emergency and education. Everybody is entitled to human rights, but it should not extend to public schools," Ordoñez said. "It doesn't quite make sense

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because you're breaking the law and you are entitled to everything anyway."
Several students also suggested that immigrants needed to become U.S. citizens before being allowed to attend school.

"Their parents should get their citizenship taken care of before they try to attend our schools," said Analycia Villareal, of Americas High School, in East Side city Rep. Rachel Quintana's chair.

In reality, the process of becoming a U.S. citizen can take years, if not decades, and undocumented immigrants who don't have an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen may not qualify. Schools, meanwhile, are forbidden by federal law from asking a student about his or her immigration status.

When time came to vote, five students voted in favor of allowing undocumented immigrant children to study in public schools, while three voted against. Mayor John Cook asked the students what they learned from the debate.

Daisy Chaparro, of El Dorado High School, said she liked the exchange of ideas between the two sides.

"It showed me to put what is good for the nation above my personal beliefs and religious values," she said.

Phillips said he tried to organize Youth in Government Day twice a year.

"We have a lot of great kids. Let's show them what it (government) is all about. Maybe we can raise our voter participation," he said.

Louie Gilot may be reached at lgilot@elpasotimes.com, 546-6131.



http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_7864738

Some pretend arrest and/or impeachments should follow.

Aiding and abetting and misuse of public funds should be brought to their attention.

what we have here is adults guiding students to get the answer the adults want them to have ... once again... Parents need to go after these politicians that bait teens and try to influence an ill informed mind with corrupt ideas

Good point AirborneSapper7.

Remember when they used to mess with our minds to manipulate us into things like this.

It can backfire later.

Originally Posted by StokeyBob

Some pretend arrest and/or impeachments should follow.

Aiding and abetting and misuse of public funds should be brought to their attention.

Pretend arrests may be a bit severe, but this does seem a little bit like indoctrination.

Great.... another stupid discussion about people that have invaded our sovereign nation. Then stole SS numbers, created fraudulent documents, freeload from American taxpayers, through schools, healthcare, jail and court systems, subsidized housing, second language programs, free lunch programs, all the while clogging our roads, and bankrupting our communities...

What is there to discuss- GET OUT of MY COUNTRY or ELSE!

Fantastic! Another public school exercise in the name of promoting diversity along with the illegal invaders. Should have known, this was in El Paso, where untold numbers of school aged kids cross over from Mexico each day in order to attend school in this country , at the expense of American Citizens.

Will the insanity ever end?