Tue 15 Dec 2009
Horne: Illegals Attending Ajo Schools
Posted by Press Release under Education , Illegal Immigration , Press Release[18] Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
HORNE INVESTIGATION REVEALS MEXICAN RESIDENTS ILLEGALLY ATTENDING SCHOOLS IN AJO
TUCSON (Tuesday, December 15, 2009_ — State schools chief Tom Horne today released the results of an Arizona Department of Education investigation showing that a substantial number of Mexican residents are being bused to public schools in Ajo in violation of Arizona law.
“I am releasing video evidence that shows very clearly that Mexican residents are being bused from the international border crossing at Lukeville, Arizona to attend school at the Ajo Unified School District. Arizona law is clear: public school students, regardless of their citizenship, must reside within the state,” Horne stated.
“Our investigation is the result of numerous complaints we have received from constituents who observed these activities or who knew of Mexican residents attending Ajo schools. Earlier this year, the Arizona Department of Education formally requested the Pima County School Superintendent to provide verification of U.S. residency for all students who attend schools in the Ajo district. This request was repeatedly rebuffed so I therefore had little recourse but to initiate my own investigation,” Horne added.
Video evidence reveals that shortly after the Lukeville border crossing is open at 6 AM on school days, Mexican residents enter the U.S. either on foot or by car and students board school buses parked approximately 200 yards north of the border. The buses are marked “Pima County Schools” and, according to Arizona Department of Transportation records, are registered to the Pima County School District.
“I have asked the Arizona Attorney General’s office to investigate this matter further. Arizona taxpayers cannot be expected to pay for the education of students who don’t live in Arizona and I am committed to putting a stop to this illegal activity,” Horne concluded.
Copies of the correspondence between the Arizona Department of Education and Pima County Superintendent, as well as a chronological description of the video, are attached. The video is also posted at www.ade.az.gov.
December 15th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
A question an investigation will answer – Is the school using these illegal students to pad the official school enrollment numbers to be eligible for more state and federal funds? And how is that additional money being used once the school gets it?
December 15th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Shorter Tom Horne:
“Love me, Teabaggers! LOOOOOOOOOOOVE MEEEEEEE!”
December 15th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Good to know the Klute thinks ripping off Arizona taxpayers is okay. He must think it’s all other people’s money.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Stuck on stupid.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I suspect that Klute has no clue how liberal Tom Horne really is (or he does and is secretly cheering for Horne), and likely many other voters don’t too. If Tea Party attendee were smart (same with rank-and-file Republicans), they’d throw rotten vegetables at Horne when he gets on stage. He’s good at talking a conservative game, but doing liberal things while in office. Glad he’s exposing illegals attending U.S. schools, but this doesn’t overcome the fact that he’s a liberal for me.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I would like to see Linda Arzoumanian’s response to this.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
This is nothing more than a transparent ploy to shore up his credentials with the base before a big election, a base that currently hates his guts (as evidenced by the numerous hit pieces here on SA).
Tom Horne’s in deep [expletive], and he’s doing this because he needs the base’s vote.
Ajo schools are educating illegals, and he just found out about this… what 7 years after his election?
And right before he wants another office after he’s been term limited out of the he’s apparently so bad at it took him that 7 years to find this gaping whole in the system that he manages.
DGN is apparently satisified with our constitutional officers doing their jobs in the 10-12 month prelude to an election.
wanumba’s job is immediately to try to find something to cover up his party member’s incompetence by shifting the blame/finding something else to bray about.
Or, to quote Mayor Quimby: “They’re like trained seals. Toss ‘em a fish and watch ‘em slap their fins together.”
December 15th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Antifederalist,
“If Tea Party attendee were smart (same with rank-and-file Republicans), they’d throw rotten vegetables at Horne when he gets on stage.”
Exactly – and that’s the point of my “shorter” comment. All what Horne’s doing is a transparent ploy to get the firebreathers to overlook his record, which, apparently for some of the commenters here, is exactly what happened.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Not bad, Klute. Good analysis of Horne for once. This is the 2nd time I’ve actually liked something Klute has said. Beware! The Apocalypse cometh!
December 15th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
DGN is happy when elected officials do their jobs, no matter when it falls in their term. Nice straw man Klute, but weak.
This was investigated once before and it was stopped. Apparently they’re up to their shenanigans again.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
If the Ajo schools have been openly bussing illegals to their buildings, there’s potentially more than one illegality, including defrauding state and federal agencies.
It IS grotesque that it’s been going on so long, if complaints have been piling up and the town’s done zip. No even an open secret, just open. But the issue stands on its own legs, no matter who brought or how it has been brought to the public attention.
That school better look like the Taj Mahal with all that extra money, not like the delapidated orphanage in “Oliver Twist.” And the kids should be top achievers in the state, but one suspects that isn’t the case.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
“DGN is happy when elected officials do their jobs, no matter when it falls in their term. Nice straw man Klute, but weak.”
Tom Horne sez: “Have another fish!”
“This was investigated once before and it was stopped. Apparently they’re up to their shenanigans again.”
Which, you know, seems like piss-poor management of the state superintendent.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Gee, how many of those kids are US citizens?
I bet most of them.
At which point most of the commenters here look like morons.
So, can we legally deny US citizens a US education? I would guess not.
Ugh. Anything to keep them Illegals down.
Even if they most likely aint.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I agree with Klute that this is a an attempt by Horne to get some traction with conservatives. Seems pretty hopeless.
To the actual issue, Horne, and undoubtedly most on here, are assuming that these kids do not have a parent who is an AZ resident. When a similar issues have arisen elsewhere it has not been the case that even most of the students seen crossing the border do not have a legal guardian residing in the US.
Horne also misstates what in fact has happened. The Pima county attorney has ruled that the request from Tom Horne violates FERPA. I am glad they are watching out for the students attending their schools and will fight to make sure they don’t become Horne’s scapegoats on his way to the AG’s office.
What is even more funny is in the correspondence to the district, Horne’s office claims they have a right to the information under FERPA and then cite parts of the code which have nothing to do with this situation and in fact in at least one case has to do with higher education. Doesn’t seem like a good candidate for AG if he can’t even get the law right.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Yah gotta be kidding. Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Gee, how many of those kids are US citizens?
…………………
Dunno. You got their birth certificates in your pocket?
If they live out of the district … in another country, what legal basis is there to allow them in a US school?
December 15th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
That’s a rhetorical question of course. There is no legal basis and you don’t have a clue whether they are legal or not, but the circumstances are most worth investigating to find out what the truth is.
It’s not impossible there is an innocent explanation for all this, just improbabble.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Good for you, Tom! Saving the state money. I laud you. Thank you.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
If you give me a place to stay, I will personally investigate each student crossing the border. I saw this happening last Friday after hiking a bit and driving to Lukeville for lunch. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’m a newly retired educator. I know kids are to live in the district where they attend school. I know the students are also bringing over fruits and veggies in their lunch. This is totally unacceptable!!