TUCSON - State schools chief Tom Horne on Wednesday confirmed that children living in Mexico are crossing the border to attend school in the United States, but officials cannot agree whether the state, county or school district should check residency claims.
More than a year after calling for an investigation, Horne said state school officials now have a videotape that shows children crossing from Sonoyta, Sonora, through the port of entry and boarding buses to attend school in the United States. The state also found that trailer-park spaces in the U.S. border town of Lukeville listed as proof of residency for many children are empty.
Overall, Horne said, the investigation found “overwhelming evidence” of fraud.
According to Ajo School District records, 85 students board the bus each day in Lukeville. But the border town has little more than a strip mall, gas station, motel, RV park and general store and a population of 65.
U.S. immigration officials said most of the students who cross the border each day for school were born in the United States and have citizenship even though their parents live in Mexico. Still, state law requires that they live in the United States to attend U.S. schools.