Speaking to supporters, Senator JD Vance recently attributed Georgia’s educational struggles to the large number of undocumented immigrants and their children enrolled in the state’s public schools. Vance pointed to overcrowded classrooms and language barriers as significant issues facing Georgia’s education system, which he believes are exacerbated by the influx of migrant children.
“There are over 400,000 illegal aliens in the state. About 120,000 Georgian students are children of illegal aliens,” Vance stated at the event. “Think about the impact on education for Georgian children when you add over 120,000 kids, many of whom don’t speak English.”
Vance blamed the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies for allowing unchecked migration, which he says has overwhelmed school systems. He emphasized that teachers are increasingly burdened with supporting students who require additional language assistance, which detracts from the quality of education for all students.
Georgia has seen a steady rise in the number of English Language Learners (ELLs), with state data showing that nearly 10 percent of students now require specialized support to learn English. Vance argued that these challenges are linked to broader immigration issues, such as drug trafficking and border security, which he contends the Biden administration has failed to address.
While Vance expressed sympathy for the children themselves, he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, for her handling of immigration. He argued that Harris’ policies have allowed the southern border to deteriorate, with consequences reaching far beyond border states. “I have compassion for these innocent kids; I’m not angry with them for coming to this country. Our frustration is with Kamala Harris for allowing the Mexican drug cartels to continue drug trafficking and sex trafficking,” Vance said.
Vance’s remarks come as Georgia’s undocumented immigrant population has grown significantly, with an estimated 400,000 undocumented residents living in the state, according to the American Immigration Council. Many of these individuals have children enrolled in public schools, contributing to what Vance describes as a strain on educational resources.
As the 2024 election approaches, Vance has made immigration a central theme of his campaign, aligning himself with former President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on the issue. With Georgia positioned as a key battleground state, Vance’s focus on immigration highlights its significance in the upcoming election, as he continues to link the issue to national security and economic concerns.
