Bill on Schooling for Illegal Aliens

While I respect the right of The Times’ editorial board to disagree with my initiatives against illegal immigration, I cannot abide gross distortions of my efforts--especially when heralded in bold headlines (“School Doors Should Not Be Closed to Immigrant Kids,” June 12).

This headline contains two blatant misstatements. First, my amendment does not close any schoolhouse door. It simply gives California and all other states the authority to decide whether to provide free education, at taxpayer expense, to illegal immigrants. Under this provision, states may continue to educate illegal aliens for free, or to charge tuition, as many jurisdictions currently do for out-of-state or out-of-district residents. This amendment simply allows each state, and its citizens who must pay the bill, to make that decision about how best to spend limited education resources.

The second misstatement is that my provision will affect “immigrant kids.” Wrong again. Immigrant children--whether U.S. citizen children of illegal alien parents or legal resident children--are not affected in any way. Only illegal aliens themselves are affected.

Additionally, you editorialize against imposing on teachers the “cruel weight” of responsibility for having to distinguish between legal and illegal students. In truth, this enrollment eligibility decision would be made by school administrators just as they presently require proof of medical immunization and in-district residence for enrollment.

REP. ELTON GALLEGLY

R-Simi Valley