CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY TRIES TO AVOID ASSOCIATION WITH NEW ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW

Even before the measure has received approval to be placed on a ballot, many Republican politicians in California have already come out in opposition to the newest version of Proposition 187.  Proposition 187 is a measure designed to eliminate access to government services and benefits for anyone illegally in the US. This current stance is a marked departure from the state Republican Party’s wholehearted embrace of Prop 187.  While this law did pass in 1994 with almost 60% of the vote, it became a divisive issue, driving many Hispanic voters out of the Republican Party. 

In the 1990 gubernatorial election, the Republican Pete Wilson received 30% of the Hispanic vote.  During the 1998 election, the Republican candidate received less than 20% of the Hispanic vote.  Aware of this marked trend, Republicans in California are now toning down their anti-immigrant rhetoric, and many have taken positions in opposition to the new version of Prop 187. 

The new version is most different from the original in that it does not ban the children of illegal immigrants from public schools, a provision that was almost immediately declared unconstitutional.  Despite this, most Republicans are likely to not support it.  The State Republican Party Chairman has not come out against the proposal yet, but has said “issues related to 187 will not be part of a policy agenda the GOP caucus will pursue.” 

Of course, some Republicans have embraced the new version, and criticize their fellow Republicans for what they consider pandering for votes.  One of the co-sponsors of Prop 187, who will also sponsor the new version, Barbara Coe, says that people who have left the Republican Party because of Prop 187 “are not good American citizens.”

Supporters want the new proposal to be on the ballot in November 2000, and will probably begin collecting petition signatures in early 2000.

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