© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
Arizona voters' approval of a
referendum clamping down on illegal aliens is bolstering a
grass-roots effort that may result in similar measures across
the nation.
The Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, placed on the
ballot by activists, makes it mandatory for people registering
to vote to show proof of U.S. citizenship, the San Antonio
Express-News reported. It also calls for a $750 fine and up to
four months in jail for government employees who don't report
the use of public benefits by illegals.
Phoenix businessman Randy Pullen, a member of the
Republican National Committee and chairman of the campaign to
pass the measure, called it "the beginning of illegal
immigration brought under control."
"It's a movement that's growing stronger. It's not going to
stop illegal immigration, but it's a start," Pullen told the
San Antonio paper.
Proposition 200 was met with dismay by the Mexican
government, which issued a statement yesterday saying it "will
lead to discrimination based on racial profiling while
limiting access to basic health and educational services."
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."
Groups monitoring Arizona's success already plan to promote
similar initiatives in California, Colorado and Georgia, the
News-Express reported.
An opponent of the measure, Steve Roman, spokesman for No
on Proposition 200, maintains it is unclear to which programs
the measure applies and believes courts will determine the
law's impact. He also contends the U.S. Justice Department
will have to address the voter requirement to ensure it does
not violate civil rights.
Roman believes only the federal government, which
establishes immigration policy, can produce any real change.
The San Antonio paper, however, points out Arizona citizens
acted precisely because they see the federal government as
unresponsive to the urgent problems confronted by border
states.
A group in Georgia is taking a draft proposal of a similar
measure to state lawmakers in January. In Colorado, bolstered
by Arizona's success, an initiative that failed last spring
will be reintroduced.
In Texas, where ballot initiatives are not allowed, a group
called Texans for Fair Immigration is hoping that if the
Arizona measure stands up in court, it will put more pressure
on lawmakers in Austin to pay attention to the issue.
