“What is your immigration status?”
Those words will now be uttered by government employees in Arizona to any suspected illegal alien seeking welfare, thanks to a judge who lifted a restraining order against voter-approved (56 percent) Proposition 200:
A federal judge on Wednesday lifted an order barring Proposition 200 from becoming law, clearing the way for state, county and municipal employees to immediately start reporting to immigration authorities suspected undocumented immigrants seeking public benefits.U.S. District Judge David Bury’s decision allowed Gov. Janet Napolitano to issue an executive order enacting the controversial voter-approved legislation Wednesday afternoon. The decision left some municipal officials across the Valley and state scrambling to prepare workers who will be required to ask all who apply for public welfare benefits for proof of citizenship. (Source)
Scramble on! It’s about time the will of the people was upheld. The costs of illegal immigration are straining Arizona.
Even the New York Times agrees. But don’t take my word for it since my bias is showing. Read it yourself:
- $150 million annually to treat illegal aliens — “Increasingly frustrated with millions of dollars in uncompensated care, University Medical Center (Tucson) hospital administrators are reporting uninsured immigrants who don’t pay their medical bills to immigration officials. UMC incurred $3.3 million in immigrants’ unpaid bills in one four-month period in 2003. At least three Arizona hospitals are sending bill collectors into Mexico to try to obtain payment.”
Just like California, health care for illegal aliens is bankrupting the state. Some hospitals and clinics have had to reduce services because of the burden of treating non-citizens with no insurance. It’s American citizens in Arizona who get the shaft.
- $187 million annually to educate illegal immigrant students
- 10 percent of Arizona’s prison population are illegal aliens, criminals who shouldn’t even be here in the first place! We’ve got enough home-grown crime. We don’t need to import it.
Millions, billions, 10 percent, 20 percent. It’s all so abstract, isn’t it? People who support open borders and the like don’t seem to get it. That money comes from you and me, not a government money tree growing on Capitol Hill. Even the folks over at Defeat Prop 200 are concerned about taxpayers:
Prop 200 will cost Arizona taxpayers millions of dollars to implement. State, County and City employees will have to be trained to become immigration officials. Prosecuting and incarcerating public employees will be expensive. The state will become embroiled in costly lawsuits.
How sweet.
An illegal alien living illegally in Arizona says you’re all racists for supporting Proposition 200. I guess that includes me. He whines:
“I think it’s racist,” Garcia said. “They don’t understand if (undocumented immigrants) receive help, it’s not for them, it’s for the kids who are U.S. citizens. They’re trying to put pressure on immigrants, and it’s very dangerous…because some won’t seek help.”
Garcia is quite the role model for his children. Break U.S. law, enter the U.S. illegally, then complain when U.S. immigration law is enforced and you get caught. You think America enforcing its laws is dangerous and racist, Mr. Garcia? Then go back to Mexico. The border’s wide open, as you well know. Have a safe trip. Give Vicente my love!
Some think it’s “un-Christian” of me to be so strongly pro-enforcement. It’s ironic. What could be more un-Christian (unbiblical is a better word) than allowing the guilty to profit from their crimes? While my words may sound harsh, they’re no harsher than the burden Americans have had to shoulder to support lawbreakers who have no respect for American law but seek only the benefits of a free and generous land. To them, the United States is a tree in full bloom, ripe for picking.
When pandering politicians spend billions of our dollars on millions of people who cross our borders without going the through the proper channels and should be deported as a consequence, we the people have a right to complain and demand reform. Breaking state-funded health care and educational systems at the expense of Americans is immoral.
May similar Proposition 200s propagate across our land.
Addendum: I forgot an important fact. Forty-seven percent of Hispanic voters said YES to Proposition 200. (Hat tip: Digger’s Realm).
In her latest column, Michelle Malkin addresses homeland “insecurity,” as well as amnesty for illegal aliens.
Update: For people who’ve e-mailed me in the past couple of days, I’ll respond by tomorrow. I promise!
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LaShawn,
The most ironic complaint I hear from the illegal immigrant lobby is for instate tuition. But, how does one quantify “In-state”? How does anybody qualify as “In-state” without specifying, comprehending, and respecting the notion of an “In-State” border and an “In-state” area.
So illegal immigrants who break sovereign borders, now shout, “Recognize our borders, give us Instate tuition breaks!” The irony is thick!!!!
OK, we Arizona so-called “racists” got the ball rolling. Now, we’re hoping the rest of the country follows suit (although we don’t really expect much out of “blue” folks).
Sure, their kids are citizens because they make sure they get here before their kids are born so that they have a “legitimate” reason to stay here.
I’ve noticed that the people who are for illegal immigrants are: business owners and homeowners who hire them; people whose careers depend on them (social workers, teachers, translators, government program workers, etc.); descendents of them; and people who don’t live near them. I’ve even seen liberal people change their opinions after living in their neighborhoods.
NIMBY is alive and well, and isn’t just for garbage dumps and nuclear power plants.
Dave we actually started this here in Cal over 15 years ago with prop 187. Which got almost 66% of the total vote and a majority in the “Latino” areas. The problem was we had an AG who thought he could get elected Gov by going to court and taking a dive on 187. So he took a dive in Judge Real’s court. Well he got creamed in the Gove race; almost as many people voted against him as did vote for 187 in the earlier election. The vote of lthe people is only as valid as their elected officials are honest, or brave.
Rod Stanton
Cerritos
Don’t pop any champagne corks until every last appeal has been exhausted. Open borders proponents know this must be taken down at all costs lest it spread nationally. This is another reason conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices are necessary.
LaShawn: Please post more pictures of yourself. You’re hot!
What fries me is that there is already existing a legal line to enter from Latin America. We allow legal immigrants each year. So the illegals are the ones “cutting the line.” The Foreigners who do the paperwork and preparation are restricted and stalled while the impatient and ill-prepared run at night and swarm our services. Calif has been burdened by this for THIRTY years, but no administration would face the issue.
Ohhh, have I got some fodder for this site. Via DailyPundit wayyy back in September re CA DLs.
MEXIDATA . INFO
Media watch 090704 Latino
….”The chairman of the Latino parliamentary group in California’s congress, Marco Antonio Firebaugh, said that the governor “is the one who has the ability to make it law, to give this right to Mexicans, whether they have settled in California or not….”
AND THE GIST OF EVERYTHING:
,,,,”“However it is now September and he has not responded whatsoever, although we will insist on approval of the bill, basically so that illegal migrants can have access to education and health services in the U.S.,” Firebaugh added….”
Man, timing is everything, via Bros. Judd:
The Birth of a ‘Latino Race’
by Ian Haney López, Ian Haney López is a law professor at UC Berkeley and the author of “Racism on Trial: The Chicano Fight for Justice” (Harvard, 2003).
The Census Bureau, preparing for the census in 2010, recently tried to eliminate the “some other race” option on its forms. From the bureau’s perspective, too many people erroneously placed themselves in this group. But at the instigation of a Latino congressman from New York, José E. Serrano, Congress barred the move by conditioning funding for the census on the retention of the “other race” category. Serrano, a Democrat, claimed a victory for “millions of American Latinos.” Latino civic organizations seem to agree, with both Mexican American and Puerto Rican civil rights groups praising his actions….
Illegal aliens babies are granted citizenship by executive decision, not the 14th amendment.
In the 1898 case Ark vs US, the Supreme Court judged everyone born in the US to legal immigrant parents was automatically a US citizen.
Apparently at the same time, since there were very few illegal aliens in the US, and to reduce paperwork, the executive branch conferred US citizenship to everyone born in the US except to diplomats and American Indians US.
In this judgement, the court also said:
“the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, in qualifying the words, “All persons born in the United States,” by the addition, “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” would appear to have been to exclude–children born of alien enemies in hostile occupation”.
In other words, the children of occupying aliens should not be US citizens. I would have to say 10 million illegal aliens that cost Americans $300 billion a year, that kill thousands of Americans, that sicken millions of Americans, and that trash our environment, are a “hostile alien occupation”.
Yet, the executive branch, lead by President George Bush, continues to grant illegal alien babies citizenship!
As and example of how inconsistent this policy is, the children of Vietnamese (and others) born in US financed Asian refugee camps are not citizens of any country! The INS defines them as “stateless”.
These stateless children have a green card, but can only become US citizens if their parents become citizens, or if they apply and pass the citizenship test after age 21.
Yet, the children of tourists who fly here 8 months pregnant, and of illegal aliens who steal and sometimes kill Americans are given US citizenship!
Since Bush seems unlikely to stop this, everyone needs to raise hell with their Congressperson to stop it.
Tim Binh
Vietnamese for Fair Immigration
California
Let’s see what happens. I am one of those who voted for this. I think it’s about time if not overdue. But as Bachbone said, let’s see the appeal process. But if it does withstand the acid tests of our courts, maybe this can be the start of a good thing.
I am all for Legal Immigration, not Illegal Immigration. There has been such a drain on the resources here in Tucson from illegals. Downgrading our Emergency Rooms, to Emergency Rooms closing down. Being sued by families of Illegals who have perished in the desert trying to get across the border. The list goes on.
Let’s see what happens next, maybe Sr. Fox will intercede on the behalf of potential votes north of the border.
Immigration reform is desperately needed. Write to your congressional members and insist this be a priority. Babies born in US should be citizens ONLY if one parent is a citizen or in the legal process of naturalization. We cannot
continue to reward illegal behavior. I welcome any and all
who come here legally and go through the naturalization process. The rest need to go home. If a guest worker program is established it must contain limits strictly enforced such applying for legal entry to become a citizen just like every other immigrant, children not granted citizenship etc.
As a Mesa, AZ resident I couldn’t be happier about this. folks say I’m too harsh, but anyone who had a hand in appealing this voter-approved measure is nothing short of a traitor.
I’m tired of not being able to afford the outrageous cost of healthcare (I’m an affluent, white male, so I can afford it, right?) while illegal immigrants get medical treatment and then skip on the bill.
As I alluded to in the paragraph above, the most irritating part of all of this is the assumption that since I’m white, and gainfully employed, I should be the lowest priority in my own country.
I agree with you that enforcement of immigration rules is necessary in a fair society La Shawn. But for justice to be served, penalties should also be applied to those who encourage illegal immigration. There are many industries which are virtually dependent on illegal labour. For example, wikipedia reckons that 85% of US crop workers don’t have legal status. Other industries - domestic service, catering, construction and others are also notorious. I seem to remember that no one knows exactly how many died in the Twin Towers because of the illegal immigrants working in the restaurants. Given all this, is it really justified to present illegrant immigrants as nothing other than a drain on US taxpayers?
Illegal aliens are much more than a mere tax drain on Americans. They are singlehandedly changing the culture for the worst. I would say there is something uniquely special about foreigners seeking to immigrate to the America, for whatever reason, by legal means AND who seek to embrace American values (not be confused with Hollywood’s). I’m prejudice against foreigners who cross our borders in violation of U.S. law, have no desire to learn our language (but I’m required to learn theirs) and expect government handouts for the privilege. I “present” illegal aliens as much more than a tax drain on citizens and legal residents. They are a cultural and crime-ridden drain as well.
We agree on one thing, Richard. Those who hire illegal aliens should also be penalized.
“$187 million annually to educate illegal immigrant students”
Last thing we want is an educated illegal.
First thing we want is an eduated American populace.
Wow, I agree w/actus.
187 million seems kind of low, considering we spend about $450 billion on education.
For years I thought that officials at the state, county and federal level did this sort of thing on a routine basis, but this “common sense” idea was verboten. I couldn’t believe that something as simple as this was never (that might be too long) been attached to some sort of federal legislation, but it appears it wasn’t.
Congratulations Arizona for shining the way.
Combat Doc has an interesting post about Hispanic Americans today. http://candle_in_the_dark.blogspot.com/
He himself is a Hispanic American and has something to say about his minority becoming the new “Ni**er” (HIS WORDS- NOT MINE)
My response to him was that American animosity toward Hispanics is directed toward the illegals- not the legals. Check it out and see what you think.
Actus and Sandy P
Please compare oranges and oranges.
The 187 million figure is for the state of Arizona only. Living in CA I know that CA spends over 40 Billion on education and I’m sure that Arizona is less than 1/10th of that. So…. 187 million out of 3 Billion is considerable (if that’s what Arizona spends)
Add to that the amount to keep illegals in jail for felonies.
Add to that the amount of benefits that illegals have been receiving recently.
Subtract the amount of taxes that illegal immigrants pay (which is close to nothing - please don’t point to the figures that count social security contributions that is supposed to be separate and they will if they stay withdraw more than they’ve paid into social security because they came later in their working life usually)
What you have is the equation of national security + following a process to come into this country = come in legally or we need to process you out of this country.
This country allows more legal immigrants than all other countries combined so why must we allow illegal immigrants as well? <—- Why does that question never get answered. I’ve asked it close to 100 times….
Such tremendous news and to see so many people feeling how immigration done illegally hurt us much more than people have been willing to admit.
Those Border Patol have a good heart and many times when they have gone into the fields and see an older man or woman working it has bothered them to arrest them and send them back. There are many US citizens willing to do the low pay jobs that are legal and we need to worry about them. Our Batol are hard workers and they deserve our support as our soldiers protecting us. I do hope this starts to happen everywhere else. As mentioned above, hospitals have gone out of business and those that depand on legal immigration neeed to get their heads out of the ground!
1. If you are not here legally, then you are here illegally. Then you are breaking our laws. We have enough of our own law breakers…NO MORE CRIMINALS NEEDED THANK YOU VERY KINDLY…and I don’t care what country you come from. (3 of my grandparents were immigrants, LEGAL)
2. Perhaps blogosphere can start linking to congressmen/women to facilitate our voices being heard. (The easier it is, the more people will do it). Let’s get the message out: ENFORCE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS NOW!!!!
At last the will of the people takes precedence over the demands of a small bunch of illegal aliens and the crooked groups that represent them its time for this to happen nationwide and i also understand where a lot of hispanics voted for it to.
Very good point Maggie. People should contact their Senators and Representatives and it is easy by email. Your contact does get read and does enfluence. I always start by thanking them for their service to me and my state (gets them to keep reading) and then let them know of my concern in a concise courteous and respectful manner (gets them to listen).
Senators Contact: http://www.Senate.Gov then select your State
Representatives Contact: http://www.House.Gov/WriteRep then select your State
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