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    The Lookout

    Thousands of Hispanic students still missing from Alabama schools this week

    Elementary school students in Crossville, Alabama (AP)Even more Hispanic students were absent from schools Monday following a federal judge's decision to let the state's tough new immigration law go into effect on Thursday.

    Malissa Valdes, a spokeswoman for Alabama's education department, told The Lookout that total absences among Hispanic students rose from 2,011 on Friday to 2,285 on Monday. The state is still collecting data on how many students have withdrawn altogether.

    About 7 percent of the total Hispanic student population did not show up to school on Monday. School officials suspect that many of those children have parents who are illegal immigrants who were scared to bring them to school because the new law says parents should provide schools with a birth certificate for their child. Superintendents have stressed that any parent or child who can't provide a birth certificate will not face adverse consequences.

    But the widespread absences continued Monday, according to local news reports. More than 110 Hispanic students were absent yesterday from Huntsville schools, about 70 more than usual. Huntsville is set to lose $4,500 in state funding for each student who withdraws, WaayTV reports. In schools in the small town of Fort Payne, 31 students have already withdrawn permanently. Another 48 Hispanic students were absent on Monday, according to the Times-Journal. As of Monday, 123 Hispanic students withdrew from Albertville schools, and another 58 were absent, according to the Sand Mountain Reporter.

    According to data from Kids Count, about 79,000 children in Alabama live in immigrant families. Most of them are citizens.

     

    571 comments

    • A Yahoo! User  •  7 mths ago
      When hatians cross the dominican repbulic border they are shot
    • MoneyRules  •  7 mths ago
      US - Immigrants = Japan, an aging society with a permanently declining economy
    • MOBADTHANGOOD  •  7 mths ago
      Why can't they just register, get a work visa and work?
      Why is it such a big problem for them?
      As long as they are here legally on a work visa there is NO problem.
      They would pay taxes just like everyone else and get to work.
      • John 7 mths ago
        Because they face deportation if they do... DUH ! lol
      • MOBADTHANGOOD 7 mths ago
        JOHN? If they register and get a work visa they won't be deported. DUH!
        What don't you understand about that?
    • Paula  •  7 mths ago
      I thought we all had to show Birth Certificates to get our kids into School. I had to update my child's shots last week to keep her in School . Am I missng somethng here? Deport them all .
      • david g 7 mths ago
        sorry Paula, they failed to tell you that the "rules" only apply to American citizens. If you are here illegally then you do not need to follow the rules....
      • anotherscientist 7 mths ago
        Yes they make a nod and wink exception for the illegals and children of illegals.....why you ask......the schools get MONEYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Prosecute the schools that don't enforce the laws.
    • Larry  •  7 mths ago
      $4500 saved for each illegal not enrolled in school. That alone is reason to enforce the law.
      • RW 7 mths ago
        Who said that these students were illegal immigrants? And in what world are we saving $4,500 by trying to kick taxpayers (and flat-out the only people who will pick our crops) out of the country?
      • mark 7 mths ago
        hey r w im getting laid off in a week , i could do that job and would , i live in Ga , i have three kids two are toddlers , u in Georgia? oyeah im white american
      • jorge 7 mths ago
        Marky Mark please don't make a comment you know you won't back up...I've hired many American citizens for such jobs and guess what they don't last. They show up to work one day and they don't come back the next...come on over and prove me wrong. Let me warn you...YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO WORK
    • George C  •  7 mths ago
      best job bill - Mandatory E-VERIFY
      • Wnt 7 mths ago
        Actually, "E-VERIFY" as written just makes employers report illegal workers - they're allowed to keep them working in the meanwhile. Assuming that this immigration action, like any other, gets backed up a year or six, it basically legalizes hiring illegal workers for all purposes, so long as they move every now and then.
    • J M  •  7 mths ago
      in georgia you always had to show a birth certificate to enroll in school, i remember one year my mom couldnt find miune and we had to get another one and i was hoping it didnt come before school started, and it did :-(
      • rachel 7 mths ago
        yeah but you are an american you don't count
    • frank_c67  •  7 mths ago
      I thought you always needed a birth certificate when first registering your child for school.
    • Bob  •  7 mths ago
      I guess if their families were not breaking the law then they would have no reason to not send their children to school.
      Smaller class size means the teacher can focus more on the children who are legally there.
    • agunlovingbiblethumper  •  7 mths ago
      So whats the problem...
    • Knight Templar  •  7 mths ago
      WONDERFRIGGENFUL. We are making a difference in Alabama, we can move the Mexicans North and they will be your problem.
    • Jay  •  7 mths ago
      Show me any other country that allows foreign students that are in their country illegally to attend government paid-for education. There are none! When I attended college, not only did I have to prove my residency to earn my in-state tuition, but I had to do so every semester. Schools should not be given funding for children that do not belong in their classrooms.
    • Daniel  •  7 mths ago
      @Zuri...glad you have the intelligence to give me a history lesson on how the white man came to America...but see that is HISTORY...and the current recognized system of government says if you cross this border...including the southern border that you claim was stolen from Mexico in the first place...you must first apply and be accepted....if you want to change history you had better get a big frickin stick for this pinata!!!
    • 1 down, 49 to go  •  7 mths ago
      Calling an ILLEGAL alien a "undocumented immigrant". Is like calling a burglar a unwelcome house guest! You just can't make this crap up!
    • LARRY S  •  7 mths ago
      illegal is illegal, regardless of race , religion, etc
    • Ronnie  •  7 mths ago
      $4500 lost in funding per child to huntsville??????

      NO! Its $4500 given back to the tax payer!
    • mike  •  7 mths ago
      we also have to quit giving birth certificates to them even tho they are born here. if the parents are legal then they get on otherwise no cert.
      follow canada's laws on that.
      i have No problem with anyone wanting a better life. But they need to do it the legal way and we need to quit giving them all the free rides there presently getting. they now get FREE cell phones , housing, food, medical etc
      our own citizens dont get that
    • Will  •  7 mths ago
      So illegals think it is ok to steal American tax dollars.
    • Carl S  •  7 mths ago
      When my kids started school they needed there birth certificate and this was years ago so some states if you are illegal you don't have to provide one but if you are from the USA you have too, this is screwed up. Every state should do this and see how much money the will save but then Mexico will start fussing and Washington will please them not the Americans
    • Texas_Patriot  •  7 mths ago
      Their little #$%$ can STAY missing too!!
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