Update: August 31, 2022: The below draft language is evolving and incomplete.
The reference (crossed out below) we had posted here previously to most of the text of OCGA 20-3-519.1 will not work – posting the entire text was an editing error. – dak -Aug 30, 2022.
______
DRAFT (partial)
Eligibility:
A student is ineligible for any “NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP” scholarship or grant described in this section if the student is not a United States citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence and a Lawful Permanent Resident under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.
For purposes of this section, “lawfully admitted for permanent residence” means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with U.S. immigration laws, such status not having changed. Such status terminates upon entry of a final administrative order of exclusion, deportation, or removal as defined by the permanent resident alien.
Application for NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP:
The Department shall create a dedicated application for NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP.
The NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP application shall state that it shall only be accepted for processing if accompanied by a certified copy of the U.S. issued birth certificate or valid, unexpired U.S. passport or a current copy of the USCIS Form I-551 (green card). or
Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization; or Form N-560, Certificate of Citizenship;or
Form FS-240, or Report of Birth Abroad of United States Citizen.
Applicants or parents/ guardians for NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP shall complete the NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP application
__________
A required, universal and dedicated application can and should be drawn up that requires parents/guardians/custodians of applicants for the state scholarship to enter a valid Social Security Number for both the student scholarship recipient and the parent/guardian/custodian who will be authorized to deal with any disbursement of the state money.
It is important that the state does not ask any questions regarding immigration status of students or parents/guardians. Excluding anyone not a U.S. citizen or LPR eliminates the need to ask status. There must be a state penalty for adults filing an application with false information and
Update, June 5, 2022: Exclusion language already partially exists:
“Eligible student’ has the same meaning as provided in Code Section 20-3-519.1.” But bill language must carefully list what ID shall be presented to prove status and all foreigners must present ID every year. See here.
Update: HB 999 & HB 60 died in committee. March 16, 2022: SB 601 failed to see final passage on the senate floor yesterday by a vote of 20-29. More here.
______
“School choice!” HB 60 and HB 999 (updated 8 March: and now SB 601) should be amended to contain clear language that defines and limits eligibility and requires submission of the below forms with the application for scholarship consideration.
We urge the adults in the Capitol to limit the Wes Cantrell rushed-up, K-12 “Promise Scholarship” funding to U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders). We aren’t sure there is any There is no other way to insure the public funding doesn’t end up financing private schools for illegal aliens sooner or later.
Update, Feb 26, 2022: Note: I was asked by a senior Rep to send in draft language more than two weeks ago on this. I did. Then the House Republicans went silent on the illegal immigration topic. I did not receive a reply.
A required, universal and dedicated application can and should be drawn up that requires parents/guardians/custodians of applicants for the state scholarship to enter a valid Social Security Number for both the student scholarship recipient and the parent/guardian/custodian who will be authorized to deal with any disbursement of the state money.
Related: More on Rep Cantrell’s HB 60 & HB 999 – his verification system will not work
The application should state that it shall only be accepted for processing if accompanied by a certified copy of the U.S. issued birth certificate or valid, unexpired U.S. passport or a current copy of the USCIS Form I-551 (green card).
Or:
- Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization;
- Form N-560, Certificate of Citizenship;
- Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of United States Citizen.
We also urge all concerned to take their time, watch Cantrell & Co. carefully and to become acquainted with basic immigration facts. His current “fix” ..isn’t.
We say again: Georgia is home to more illegal aliens than Arizona and more arrive every week.
- Related: It took awhile to follow our noses on on this one but to nobody’s surprise it is coming in large part from the open borders Cato folks.
