Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance blamed migrant children for contributing to the challenges facing Georgia’s public education system during a rally Friday in Lindale, Georgia.

Speaking to supporters, Vance linked the state’s education problems to the large number of undocumented immigrants and their children enrolled in public schools.

“There are over 400,000 illegal immigrants in the state. Approximately 120,000 Georgia students are children of illegal immigrants,” Vance said at the event. “Think of the impact on the education of Georgian children when you add over 120,000 children, many of whom do not speak English.”

He attributed these challenges to the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, which he said have made the situation worse by allowing uncontrolled migration into the country.

Vance’s comments focused on classroom overcrowding and the added burden on teachers who must support students struggling with language barriers.

The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in Georgia schools has been steadily increasing. State data shows that nearly 10 percent of students now need additional language support.

The senator criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, accusing her of her handling of immigration causing the situation at the southern border to worsen, which in turn had an impact on states like Georgia. Vance linked the presence of migrant children in schools to broader problems such as drug trafficking and border security, which he said the Biden administration has failed to address.

“I feel sorry for these innocent children. I am not angry with them for coming to this country. Our frustration is with Kamala Harris for allowing the Mexican drug cartels to continue drug and sex trafficking,” he said.

According to the American Immigration Council, the number of undocumented immigrants in Georgia has grown significantly. There are currently an estimated 400,000 undocumented residents living in the state. Many of these individuals have children enrolled in public schools, which Vance said has led to increased pressure on educational resources and services.

Vance’s statement about children learning without learning English has been a common talking point for the Republican nominee as part of a strategy to emphasize immigration and border security ahead of the 2024 election.

As a vice presidential candidate, Vance has always been on the same page the harsh immigration policies of his running mate, former President Donald Trumpdescribing the issue as a national security and economic issue affecting communities throughout the United States.

With Georgia positioned as a key battleground state, Vance’s comments suggest immigration will remain a central issue in his campaign as the election approaches.