We all agree that children, along with the elderly and disabled, are the most vulnerable population in our midst. Defenseless against government action and discrimination, we take significant measures to protect the rights of children and assure that they are provided with safe environments, education and health care

Or do we?

It is hypocritical to distinguish between the children in our midst based upon the country of their birth. And it is interesting to hear the same people who proclaim the rights of the child turn around and decry their education and support.

I don't speak of the actions of elected officials, although they often invoke the plight of the "dear children" when it suits their political goals.

I speak of the animus and hate-filled comments of ordinary people protesting the education of foreign-born children in our schools, especially now when our community faces the school bond election.

If a child, no matter their immigration status, resides in the United States, that child is entitled to an education under both state and federal law. The right is protected under the U.S. Constitution.

...If a child resides within a school district, their family contributes to property taxes, including school taxes, through either home ownership or rent.

If a Mexican national child travels to the U.S. every day to attend school, whether public or private, that child holds a student visa. The parents pay tuition to the school district or private school in order to qualify for the student visa

And about the opening of the dedicated entry lane for student traffic from Mexico, make no mistake: Students who enter the U.S. through those lanes hold student visas. Authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to attend school in the U.S., they pay a hefty price for that authorization -- in both tuition and visa fees, not to mention the cost of gas to travel from Juárez to El Paso five days a week.

These children do not cross the desert or the river to come to school every day; they are foreign students -- just as if they traveled from Europe or India. The only difference between these children and other foreign students is their federally sanctioned commuter status.

...So stop being hypocrites. Stop blaming these children for rising school-district taxes. Instead, blame the cost of living. Blame the cost of our growing community."