Why do kids of illegal immigrants get to go to school K-12 for free?

Question

Schools are paid for through American tax dollars, and yet the government allows the kids to go to school for free. Why aren't the parents required to give a valid SSN to prove they are here legally? The government is purposely looking the other way.

I know it is not the kids' fault, but why are the parents allowed to stay once they have broken the law? This also creates a problem, because now the government feels obligated to give these kids financial aid to college.

Good points on both sides of those who answered. Also I should clarify that I'm also including kids born outside the U.S. and are living with the illegal parents. The kids are not citizens, but by law they still go to school from K-12.

Once again, I'm not talking about kids who are American citizens by birthright. There are kids without legal status (born in foreign countries) who go to the American school system for free.

I do feel bad that it is not the kids' fault, but when these kids grow up they also expect to go to college in the U.S. and get financial aid. In California we may start allowing this soon.

The parents shouldn't feel they can get away with this, but we are almost inviting illegal immigration by handing out free educations.

Answer 1

It isn't free. WE pay for it and the funding is taken from, and programs are limited and eliminated for, our own children.

I agree that education is not a 'basic' right we should have to provide those illegally here when our OWN children aren't getting adequate education in areas where illegal immigrants concentrate.

Answer 2

How often does somebody's SSN ever get verified? And most illegal immigrants that don't get paid in cash pay taxes. I'm not saying it's right or anything, just factual.

To bob s below, you say they are obviously immigrants -- that does NOT mean they are here illegally! And being born here does make you legal! That's why people plan vacations here to have their baby and then return to their country hoping they can come back with the kid one day.

Answer 3

There are societies where the parents pay for their children's schooling (education). The U.S. as a society or at the state level should decide how much money it can afford to spend, but it should be remembered that paying for someone else's education does not or SHOULD NOT detract from the education which the children of its legal citizens or residents receive! You will recall that according to the U.S. Constitution "All men are born equal and entitled to certain inalienable rights," well, education is one of those rights to which every child growing up in America is entitled--the problem is that the taxpayers are the ones who must pay!

Answer 4

TO THE LAST PERSON HERE...
take your little girl to another school then where there are only citizens. go to a damn private school. if you are born in U.S grounds, you are an American Citizen. Period.
stealing what money??? of course anyone from the u.s will say "these darn illegals, are crossing our borders, and taking our jobs" please! of course that's what the legals are going to say. that's all that they CAN say. taking our jobs.
a lot of legals here dont like to work and that's all they have left to say, "there arent any jobs here cause the illegals have taken them" get a life dude.

Answer 5

well most of the time the child is born in the u.s so by law the child is a u.s citizen and is required to go to school. illegal immigrants normally come to america pregnant so their children will be citizens and can get a better education. and they government dont care as long as their lawn gets cut.

Answer 6

I found the answers to your question of why illegal children are able to go to public schools...

"1982 Supreme Court ruling says their children should not be punished for their unlawful actions and are entitled to an education in U.S. public schools."

Seriously it's not the kids fault if they are here, illegally what like some 3 year old is going to say hey "mom and dad don't go"

Answer 7

If the children were born here then they are legally entitled to a free education like every other child. This is a problem though. The constitution should of course be changed so that illegal aliens cannot take advantage of birthright citizenship. If we had a legitimate federal government, illegal aliens wouldn't be trampling our borders, dissecting our language, ruining our culture, and stealing our money.

These scum are now making demands for things that citizens aren't even entitled to!

Answer 8

Because they are born in the U.S. and automatically they are americans. They have the same rights like all americans and when they grow up, they will also pay their taxes to support other kids of illegal parents and the cycle goes on

Answer 9

One, it's not the children's fault what their parents did. How ever let's go one step farther and better to resolve this growing problem. Children has to go home (place parents live). Follow them, round the whole illegal family up and any other illegal in house and neighborhood and send deport them back.
Saves money, saves American jobs, frees up jails...

Answer 10

It sucks don't it? 75% of the kids in my little girl's scholl are obviously immigrants, etc. I don't feel obliglated to anyone.
and its all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
as it turns out, being born in the us does not make you legal. your parents have to be legal first! or your guardian.
and yes everything here is free. when you think about it these illegal immigrants aint all that stupid. they're comin' here and stealing our money, takin' our jobs, using our system against us and we're lettin' it happen!!!!!!!