Poizner Proposes Revival Of Proposition 187
Republican Candidates Battle On Immigration Reform

POSTED: 8:55 am PDT April 8, 2010
UPDATED: 8:55 am PDT April 8, 2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. --
Immigration reform has emerged as a key issue this spring in the California governor's race, as Republicans Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman trade charges on the air about who would be toughest on the issue.

Both candidates oppose amnesty for those already here illegally. But Poizner is taking a harder line than Whitman, saying he wants to wipe out all taxpayer-paid benefits for illegal immigrants by reviving a 16-year-old initiative.

In 1994, then-Gov. Pete Wilson pushed Proposition 187 to eliminate schooling and other benefits for illegal immigrants. The measure was approved by voters, but eventually found by the courts to be unconstitutional.

"So what I'm talking about is taking Prop. 187, modify it, tweak it, make it legal," Poizner said.

When asked if he could make the proposition constitutional, Poizner said, "Sure. In 10 other states, they've done it."

Critics say Poizner's idea is scapegoating.

"What he's proposed is backward-looking, and does not look forward to how we should build our state," State Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, said.

Like Poizner, Whitman said she would crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegals. But she does not support eliminating benefits.

A new study indicates those costs may not be as expensive as some think.

"We did find something that I think is very interesting, which is that 85 percent, at least, of unauthorized immigrants are paying taxes in advance of earning their legal status," Laura Hill from the Public Policy Institute of California said.

But Poizner said he believes the burden for schools, jails and food stamps, is unacceptable and will be a broad enough issue this fall.

Critics note that the illegal immigrant issue alienated many Latino voters from the Republican Party in 1994.

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