Thread: New immigration restrictions reflect voters dismay (Arizona)

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=78502


New immigration restrictions reflect voters’ dismay

By Sarah N. Lynch, Tribune
November 7, 2006


Four propositions aimed at curbing illegal immigration were headed for a landslide victory on Tuesday, a clear sign that Arizona voters are frustrated with the lack of congressional action on the issue.

The most controversial of the four immigration-related propositions is 300, which will prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition, financial assistance or access to state-subsidized childcare and family literacy programs. It will also require the Board of Education, community colleges, universities and the Department of Economic Security to report any illegal immigrants who try to apply for those programs.

The other three measures will make English the official language of Arizona, deny bail to illegal immigrants accused of felonies and prevent illegal immigrants from collecting punitive damages in court.

Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, one of the state’s most outspoken supporters of immigration reform, said he was happy with the results Tuesday night. Pearce said that based on his conversations with his constituents, he was confident all along the propositions would pass.

“They are common sense,” Pearce said of the referendums. “They give me faith in the public.”

He added: “We recognize the importance of assimilation. We recognize that noncitizens, especially those in the country illegally, should not be treated better or equal to citizens.”

Immigrants’ advocates in Arizona have been fighting Prop. 300 because they believe it will be most detrimental to immigrant families. The proposition has been the target of several student protests at Arizona State University, and organizations like Arizona Interfaith Network have actively campaigned against the measure.

Immigration leaders have noted that the measures seem counteractive. On one hand, Prop. 103 declares English the official language as a means to encourage new residents to learn the language. But Prop. 300 would deny access to adult education for illegal immigrants who are looking to enroll in English language classes.

On Tuesday, activists were extremely disappointed in the election results, but they were not surprised.

“I think that this is just a sign that Arizonans are frustrated with the immigration issue,” said Linda Brown, the executive director of the Arizona Advocacy Network. “You could put that illegal immigrants are not allowed to eat bacon and eggs on the chart, and it would go down.”

Contact Sarah N. Lynch by email, or phone (480) 898-6535

“I think that this is just a sign that Arizonans are frustrated with the immigration issue,” said Linda Brown, the executive director of the Arizona Advocacy Network.

80 + percent of (Legal) Americans are frustrated with the immigration issue.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/154979.php


Published: 11.07.2006

Anti-illegal immigrant propositions pass handily
By Brady McCombs
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Arizona voters resoundingly passed three anti-illegal immigrant ballot measures Tuesday and established English as the state's official language.

The landslide victory - all four passed by a about a three-to-one margin statewide - sends a message that the state won't tolerate illegal immigration, said proponent Don Goldwater.

"The people of Arizona have said, 'Enough,' and that they want this issue taken care of," said Goldwater, a gubernatorial candidate who lost in the Republican primary in September. "If the federal government won't stand up then by God, the state of Arizona will."

Election night proved a sad outcome for immigrant advocates who carried out a grassroots campaign of rallies, flyers and news conferences to try to defeat the measures.

The results send a negative message to children that there are two classes of residents in Arizona, said Lorraine Lee, vice president of Chicanos Por La Causa, a nonprofit community development corporation.

"It makes me very fearful of what the future holds because I think that this may potentially send out a message that it's okay to continue to bash immigrants," Lee said.

The four measures passed in each of the 15 Arizona counties. Pima County, which was one of three counties to defeat the anti-illegal immigration Proposition 200 in 2004, passed the measures by about a two-to-one margin, results showed.

The overwhelming victory came as no surprise to proponents who were so confident they spent no money on a formal campaign or advertisements.

"It's been pretty much a bipartisan issue. People want something done about illegal immigration," said Sen. Dean Martin, R-Phoenix, the sponsor of Prop. 300. "I'm not surprised to see this reaction at all," said Martin, who was elected state Treasurer Tuesday.

Voter intimidation by Roy Warden and Russ Dove at some South Side precincts affected the results, said Ramón Garcia of the Campaign for Community Change. It opposed the measures and worked to get Hispanics registered to vote.

"We understood that we probably weren't going to be able to beat all the propositions but we anticipated our numbers would have been much closer," he said.

Assuming they survive court challenges, the measures will prevent illegal immigrants from taking adult-education classes, getting state-funded child care assistance and paying in-state tuition at state colleges and universities, automatically keep those charged with serious felonies in jail without bail, and prevent them from receiving punitive damages in civil lawsuits.

Proposition 103 establishes English as the state's official language, 18 years after voters passed a similar proposition in 1988 that was later overruled by the Arizona and U.S. Supreme Courts.

Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarnet.com


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"Immigration leaders have noted that the measures seem counteractive. On one hand, Prop. 103 declares English the official language as a means to encourage new residents to learn the language. But Prop. 300 would deny access to adult education for illegal immigrants who are looking to enroll in English language classes."



English is the official language of the United States.

Proposition 300 should deny access the adult education for illegal immigrants. America doesn't owe illegal invaders anything. Shouldn't it be illegal for invaders to enroll in any American school? Why should American's pay for the Mexican invasion?

I have two questions: will these measures still have an impact if the illegals are given amnesty (they will no longer be illegal) and can the ACLU file some kind of a lawsuit to have these measures overturned?