A bipartisan funding bill seeks to reimburse public schools for educating children from Central America who are seeking refuge on Long Island, according to Newsday. This is a significant and positive step by elected leaders to help these child refugees in a way that is consistent with American values.
The Public School Emergency Relief Act is sponsored by Reps. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) and Peter King (R-Seaford). It will provide up to $12,000 per child to help districts that have enrolled child refugees.
Long Island Wins would like to thank Rep. Israel and Rep. King for doing the right thing for both the children and the school districts that seek to educate them. This bill is a major step for Long Island and the communities in which these children are resettling. As home to the fifth largest Central American community in the U.S., Long Island needs to take a leadership role in welcoming and aiding these children in a way that matches our American values of fairness, justice, and opportunity.
We would also like to recognize Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, both of whom are reported to have praised the measure.
It is our hope that this bill will exemplify the type of bipartisan leadership needed to develop compassionate and supportive solutions to this humanitarian situation.
