Immigration debate arising in the West

Consider that chimpy gets replaced as the repugnicrat standard champion by someone even further to the right -- they are out there -- who champions some limited idea of protecting 'Merican borders, language, and culture. That is, of course assuming that there is ONE 'Merica. Then Immigration becomes the litmus test for the right in addition to God, blowing shit up, and unilateralism in all things.

Arizona referendum spreads
Web Posted: 11/04/2004 12:00 AM CST
Hernán Rozemberg
Express-News Immigration Writer

A referendum approved in Arizona designed to clamp down on undocumented immigrants has sparked similar efforts across the country and drew protests from the Mexican government.

Despite strong opposition from the state's governor and congressional delegation, voters approved Proposition 200, placed on the ballot by a grassroots effort led by Arizona activists and funded by national immigration-restriction groups.

It tightens Arizona laws to keep undocumented immigrants from voting and from getting welfare and other government help.

The Mexican government lamented passage of the measure, saying it "will lead to discrimination based on racial profiling while limiting access to basic health and educational services," according to a statement released Wednesday by the foreign ministry.

The statement said it "doesn't contribute in any way, shape or form to any constructive manner of dealing with the migration phenomenon between Mexico and Arizona."

Activists who favor restricting immigration watched the referendum closely, and already groups in California, Colorado and Georgia plan to offer similar initiatives.

"We believe this is the beginning of illegal immigration brought under control," said Phoenix businessman Randy Pullen, a member of the Republican National Committee, who chaired Yes on Proposition 200.

Besides making it mandatory for people registering to vote to show proof of U.S. citizenship, the law — called the Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act — calls for a $750 fine and up to four months in jail for government employees who don't report undocumented immigrants using public benefits.

"It's a movement that's growing stronger. It's not going to stop illegal immigration, but it's a start," Pullen said.

Questions remain on how it will be implemented. The initiative's language is murky which public benefits migrants are now barred from accessing, said Steve Roman, spokesman for No on Proposition 200.

Does it apply to welfare? School lunches? Immunizations? The courts will have to determine the law's ultimate impact, Roman said.

Also, he said, the U.S. Justice Department will have to weigh in on the voter identification requirement, making sure it would not violate civil rights laws. Roman said people have a right to express concern over the problem of undocumented immigration in Arizone, but Proposition 200 won't solve it.

Even if other states approve similar efforts, nothing will truly change until the federal government, which sets immigration policy, takes decisive action, he said.

Yet it's precisely due to Washington's oblivious attitude toward the urgent needs of border states that prompted Arizonans to act, referendum proponents said. And success in Arizona will lend momentum to get legislation passed in other states, activists said.

Jimmy Hercheck, a member of Georgians for Immigration Reduction, already has penned a draft proposal that he will take to state legislators. He's confident a sponsor will introduce the bill in January.

The Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform tried to get an
immigration-restriction initiative passed last spring. It didn't get far, but with approval of the Arizona law, a new attempt will be made, group spokesman Mike McGarry said.

A successful campaign would not be easy in Texas, but if the Arizona law stands up to pending legal challenges, it would at least provide one more way to hold Texas politicians accountable for constantly ignoring the issue, said Keith Parker, president of the Austin-based Texans for Fair Immigration.

Texans would pass a similar initiative if allowed to put measures directly on the ballot, as in Arizona, Parker said. But they can't, and efforts to get the Legislature to enact one have gone nowhere, he said.

He doesn't expect that to change.

"It would pretty much blow me right out of my shoes if they touched this one," Parker said.

Calls to several Texas legislators and the governor's office seeking comment on the initiative were not returned Tuesday.