Proposition 200

by Nick Coons
Sep 15, 2004

Anyone who has lived in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

for any period of time knows that illegal immigration from south of the border is a real problem. The current estimate is that there are about 500,000 illegal aliens living in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

. That's about 8% of the population. But isn't it the federal government's job, not the state's, to secure those borders?

Well, yes. Here are the details of the proposition. Currently, illegal aliens currently receive all sorts of taxpayer-funded services like welfare and disability. Federal law states that you must be a documented citizen or legal alien resident to receive these services. So what's the problem? The problem is that in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

, we have no procedure in place that requires anyone to prove that they are here legally to receive these services.

Under proposition 200, individuals would have to prove that they are here legally to receive social services. The current estimate is that over $1 billion is spent annually on these services to illegals. That's a lot of money! In fact, I think I remember Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

having a budget deficit of about the same amount this time last year. Hmm...

This isn't the magic cure-all solution that's going to bring illegal immigration to a screeching halt. But this is a start. If illegal aliens can no longer collect on welfare, and hence use this money to support themselves, they will be forced to leave and or find a way to make a living by actually contributing to society in a positive way. Also, someone knowing that they can't cross the border and mooch off of the taxpayers may be a deterrent. In either case, I can't see the passing of this proposition having anything but a positive effect on our state.