[quote=spdrun]bearishgurl —
(1) Mexicans are a nationality not a uniform racial group. Saying “Mexicans are white” would be like saying “Americans are white.” They’re generally some mixture of white and Amerindian. There are also Middle Eastern and Asian communities (Carlos Slim = Carlos SAlim = Lebanese roots), among other groups.
Other Hispanics (Dominicans, Cubans, Panamanians especially) more often have African blood thrown into the mix. Don’t equate “Hispanic” with “Mexican” either, since “Hispanic” is a linguistic and regional term, not a nationality. “Latino” adds the Portuguese speaking country in South America to the mix 🙂
(2) Non-residents shouldn’t go to public schools in San Diego for free. Doesn’t matter if they come from Mexico or Fallbrook. Schools should enforce residency requirements better on all people.
This being said, with the goatfawk that border control has become, I find it hard to believe that they cross the border every day. That would take HOURS. Could they be living somewhere locally and driving around on Mexican plates? (Which then becomes a DMV issue if they don’t register in the US.)[/quote]
Yes, I realize the term “Hispanic” could mean many different mixtures of “nationalities” depending on where their ancestors originated from and what region of Latin America they are from. But they are technically considered Caucasians.
These “Mexican” students (of all “colors,” btw) essentially “stealing” free seats in SD and Imperial County public schools are being driven across the border every weekday morning by their parents or other relatives, most of whom possess work visas and SENTRI passes. A parent who is a Mexican National can secure another SENTRI pass or border-crossing card for each of their children. Also, any of their children who were born in the US can carry their birth certificate in the vehicle in case it is needed at the border crossing.
Also, anyone feel free correct me if I’m wrong here but a US border officer will sometimes not ask to see any documentation for obvious minors in the vehicle if the driver possessing the SENTRI pass states to the officer that the children riding with them are theirs.
Practically speaking, I’m sure these parents aren’t necessarily overt about the purposes of bringing the children across the border every morning (backpacks in the trunk, etc). Many Mexican parents (or grandparents) also pay tuition so their children/grandchildren can attend private school in the US while the parents work, which is perfectly legal. But as long as Great Auntie Esperanza (twice removed, lol), a longtime homeowner in Chula Vista, etc, is willing to have notarized and file a “guardian affidavit” (school district form) for each child with the appropriate school district(s), and accept all the district mailings for those child(ren), these kids are admitted to a public school in the attendance area of said friend/relative. For example, CA school districts will NOT mail any grade reports/transcripts to Mexican addresses.
Even if most or all of a Mexican National’s children were actually born in the US, many elect to continue to reside in the Tijuana area to be near other close family members and also save 70-80% on housing costs (as opposed to SD County). As do a lower percentage of American-born people of all races who are NOT Hispanic.
Yes, it somewhat muddies the waters that many of these kids successfully “stealing” seats in SD and Imperial County public schools are actually US citizens. But the state law refers only to residency as the basis for admission to its public K-12 schools, NOT nationality.
