Californian fights illegal immigration even while his state does not

Today on "The Chris Salcedo Show," Chris Salcedo welcomed Joseph Turner, founder and executive director for American Children First. He is an activist who also founded the anti-illegal immigration group Save Our State in California in 2004.

Chris asked Turner to discuss the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, a landmark decision which ruled that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education regardless of their immigration status. Turner viewed it as "egregious" that the American tax payer now spends billions of dollars to education children who are not here legally. California alone spends $15 billion a year.

He hopes that the appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court means the case might be revisited. He also stated that the only limiting principle on this decision is when a state demonstrates "a compelling substantial interest in order to deny illegal aliens access to education." He pointed out that California's bleak financial circumstances present a possible challenge and is working on an initiative to that end.

In 1996, former representative Elton Gallegly (R) from California's 24th district introduced an amendment that would have allowed the denial of education to illegal immigrants on a state by state basis. Turner hopes someone in Congress introduces similar legislation again under the President Donald Trump's administration.

Chris then asked his guest to address a ruling from California's Santa Clara county in which sanctuary cities cannot be punished even when actively and openly violating federal law. Turner noted sadly, "This is nothing new for us."

To see more from Chris, visit his channel on TheBlaze and listen live to “The Chris Salcedo Show” weekdays 2–5 p.m. ET, only on TheBlaze Radio Network.