More and more campaigns are beginning to arise which are seeking to give noncitizens the right to vote in school elections, especially if they have children in public schools. Many want to extend these rights to illegal aliens as well.
Most backers claim that because they pay taxes and contribute to the economy, they should have a vote in things that affect their daily lives. Those against the measure claim parents can get involved in other ways, including volunteering and attending P.T.A. meetings.
In Southern California, one major reason for this push is bilingual education. Many immigrants, some of them illegal, want their children to receive a Spanish-based education - for at least the first couple years of assimilation into the mainstream.
Is it fair for someone who just entered the country, but does pay taxes to demand the kind of tax-burden that bilingual education costs? Permanent residents of say, at least 5 years, definitely deserve some voice in local affairs, particularly when it directly affects their children. Still, citizenship should remain a priority; otherwise, the voice of citizens becomes less important. Additionally, all things legal are based on precedent. Providing some rights to noncitizens will ultimately lead to more campaigns for more rights for more noncitizens.
The fact is, citizenship is about the right to vote. Paying taxes isn't enough. Many teenagers contribute taxes, but we don't extend the right to vote to them. Perhaps, there is room for change to help parents get involved, but if parents aren't committed to citizenship, and all incentives to become a citizen are wiped away, all citizens will lose. That is simply unacceptable.