Amnesty’s Classroom Crush

Illegal aliens who qualified for amnesty under the landmark 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act must gain a “minimal understanding” of English in order to qualify for residency. There are an estimated 1,312,835 Californians who qualified for amnesty under the 1986 law. Approximately 815,000--those who are over 16 and under 65 and who have not had one year of education in American schools--will be required either to demonstrate a knowledge of English and U.S. government or to show proof that they have attended certified courses.

The federal government has set aside up to $500 per student per year to teach these immigrants English and civics. Unfortunately, the state agencies that are charged with distributing the federal funds--to the public schools, community colleges, community organizations, unions, churches and other groups planning to offer certified teaching programs--have been extremely stingy with the money. The state’s Health and Welfare Agency and Department of Education redefined the federal guidelines with the result that most community, church and labor organizations can’t afford to open classes at the $2.49-per-student-hour rate currently authorized.

The 815,000 eligible legalization applicants must earn their English and civics certificates by Nov. 5, 1990. Unless the state budget restrictions are relaxed, there will not be enough trained teachers, classrooms or supplies to meet the demand. The number of adult aliens eligible for legalization who must demonstrate a proficiency in English far surpasses the currently available classroom openings that will be provided by public schools, community colleges and private, nonprofit agencies. According to the state Senate Committee on Education, there are 528,041 eligible aliens in Los Angeles County and only 74,151 available spaces--a shortfall of 86%. Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties have also reported big shortfalls.

State Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) has included an amendment in a bill, SB 9, that would allow the necessary funds to reach the schools and the nonprofit groups that want to set up the needed courses. The Immigration and Naturalization Service has set 100-hour courses as the standard for funding, but it has informed immigrants that they need stay in class only 30 hours in order to get their certificates. Community groups, unions and advocates for immigrant rights point out, correctly, that 30 hours are far too little class time to learn a second language. They hope that many of the aliens can be encouraged to go beyond the 30 hours and to take advantage of the full 100 hours offered. We agree, and we hope that the amendment offered by Torres can help achieve this goal.