Commissioner John Keeble apparently thinks so. In this Daily Times article [1] about the rising cost of English as a Secondary Language (ESL) programs in Blount Co. schools, Commissioner Keeble is quoted as asking "Is there any way to see if the children are legal?"

This raises some interesting questions. Anti-immigration is a popular wedge issue for conservative Republicans. But regardless of whether you think illegal immigrants should all be deported or should all be given amnesty, surely we wouldn't deny their children the basics of education and health care?

But that's exactly what some right-wing conservatives want to do. In my view, it is neither moral nor just to punish children for their parents' decision to try to make a better life for their family.