May 22, 2007

Millions Spent To Teach Kids Of Illegal Immigrants

SALT LAKE CITY Educating the children of illegal immigrants in Utah cost $54.9 million to $85.4 million in the 2005-06 school year, a wide range that reflects the difficulty of counting the population, according to an audit released Tuesday.

Some lawmakers want the federal government to reimburse the state for the costs it incurs as a result of illegal immigration, although a bill by Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, directing the Utah attorney general to find a way failed earlier this year.

Illegal immigration is a contentious issue in Utah, where the state’s growing economy has made it an attractive place for those seeking work.

Many lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Legislature claim illegal immigrants are putting a strain on state services. They have chastised Utah’s congressional delegation for not doing more to stop the flow across the nation’s borders.

Utah spent about $3.5 billion on public education in 2005-06, including $500 million from the federal government.

Exact figures on the number of children of illegal immigrants aren’t available, but the audit estimates there are 10,714 to 16,627. It’s unclear how many are in the country legally. Children born here are U.S. citizens, even if their parents are not.

The audit based the estimates on research by Jeffery Passel of the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C.

The audit looked at five school districts – Granite, Ogden, Provo, Salt Lake City and Tooele – to make a statewide estimate on costs.

On average, the audit found school districts spend about $500 more educating the children of illegal immigrants in high school and about $140 more in kindergarten through eighth grade.

That is based on the assumption that children of illegal immigrants are likely to use services aimed at low-income families and also take classes to improve their English.

It’s unclear what lawmakers will do with the audit’s findings, which were presented at a committee hearing Tuesday.

Utah is required to educate all children, regardless of immigration status, and can’t ask if they are legal residents.

“My assignment on (the education committee) is to make sure we have adequate funding for education,â€