Hispanic dropout rate soars

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The U.S. Justice Department says Alabama's immigration law has had a "significant and measurable" negative impact on Alabama schoolchildren, especially Hispanic and English language learner (ELL) students.

In a letter to Alabama State School Superintendent Dr. Thomas R. Bice, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas E. Perez wrote, "Based on our investigation to date, including our initial analysis of the data that the Alabama State Department of Education has provided, it appears that H.B. 56 has had significant and measurable impacts on Alabama's schoolchildren....Our investigation suggests that the legislation overall has had continuing and lasting consequences in the education context".

"With respect to withdrawals, the data show that compared with prior school years, the rate of total withdrawals of Hispanic children substantially increased.  The data reflect that between the start of the school year and February 2012, 13.4 percent of Alabama's Hispanic schoolchildren withdrew from school," Perez said.

The letter continues, "..the facts described above may implicate the statutes we enforce", including federal laws which prohibit discrimination against students in the public schools on the basis of race, sex, religion, color and national origin.

Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J . of Spring Hill College, who has been involved with Hispanic Ministry in the Archdiocese of Mobile since 1983 commented to Fox 10 News, "The data in the DOJ letter confirms my own personal and anecdotal experience from contacts with Hispanic families in Baldwin and Mobile counties".

He continues, "The letter's reference to Plyler v. Doe (1982) underlines the 'pivotal role of education' in American society and the importance of equal access to education for the welfare of 'innocent children' (98% of whom are U.S. citizens) and for the common good of society as a whole".

"Although the details and circumstances are different in many ways, there also seems to be much in common with the unfortunate results of the battles over desegregation of Alabama's schools just a few decades ago. Even political choices with great popular support can sometimes be in deep conflict with what the DOJ letter calls 'fundamental conceptions of justice' and with the long-term interests of the people and State of Alabama ", Viscardi said.