This number reflects an increase of almost 40 percent since 1992 estimates. With the current fiscal crisis the state is experiencing, one might expect to see a renewal of the backlash against educating children of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. Instead, lawmakers have finally recognized that children who for many years have been educated in the State's public school system should not be denied the residency benefits of reduced tuition enjoyed by other Californians.
Education is a major factor in the future success of anyone entering the work force. According to a report issued by the University of California at Berkeley, for each additional year in school, immigrant children can realize an increase in earnings by as much as seven to 16 percent. Further, through economic models it was determined that almost half of the amount spent annually to educate these children would be offset by the increase in future tax contributions if the children were educated through grade 12.
There are many organizations that criticize the new law, arguing that it is a further taxpayer subsidy for illegal immigrants. Many of these same organizations lay the blame for classroom overcrowding on the increased immigrant populations, both legal and illegal. The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates that immigration will account for 96 percent of the increase in the school-age population over the next 50 years. This group also estimates that California taxpayers will pay a net annual fiscal cost of $1,178 per native-born household as a result of immigration related issues.
So the underlying issue is not just should the children of undocumented immigrants be educated in the public school system, but who should bear the costs. The immigration policies are set at the federal level and enforcement of those policies is a U.S. duty as well. I strongly believe that it is in the best interest of California to provide educational benefits to all children living in the state, but at the same time I support stronger controls to reduce the number of immigrants that enter the country without visas and that overstay their visa expiration.