JD Vance Blames Migrant Kids for Georgia’s Education Problem

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance blamed migrant children for contributing to the challenges facing Georgia’s public education system during a rally in Lindale, Georgia, on Friday.
Speaking to supporters, Vance linked the state’s educational issues to the large number of undocumented immigrants and their children enrolled in public schools.
“There are over 400,000 illegal aliens in the state. About 120,000 Georgian students are children of illegal aliens,” Vance said 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.”
He attributed these challenges to the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, which he believes have worsened the situation by allowing uncontrolled migration into the country.
Vance’s remarks focused on classroom overcrowding and the additional burden on teachers who must support students struggling with language barriers.
Georgia’s schools have seen a steady rise in the number of English Language Learners (ELLs), with state data showing that nearly 10 percent of students now require additional language assistance.
The senator criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, charging that her handling of immigration has allowed the situation at the southern border to deteriorate, which in turn has impacted states like Georgia. Vance linked the presence of migrant children in schools to broader issues, such as drug trafficking and border security, which he contends the Biden administration has failed to address.
“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,” he said.
Georgia’s undocumented immigrant population has grown significantly, with an estimated 400,000 undocumented residents currently living in the state, according to the American Immigration Council. Many of these individuals have children enrolled in public schools, which, according to Vance, has led to increased pressure on educational resources and services.
Vance’s line about children studying without learning English has been a frequent talking point for the Republican ticket as part of a strategy to emphasize immigration and border security in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
As the vice presidential candidate, Vance has consistently aligned himself with his running mate, former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, framing the issue as a national security and economic concern that affects communities across the United States.
With Georgia positioned as a key battleground state, Vance’s remarks suggest that immigration will remain a central theme in his campaign as the election draws closer.