California 1994: Leg. Demonizes Mexican Labor While Press Pushes NAFTA

[omega minimo]

In 1994, California media had 2 big stories: State Proposition 187 demonizing illegal Mexican immigrants and the push to get NAFTA through Congress. The sensationalized journalism painted paranoid pictures of surging hordes of brown people streaming northward to take American jobs. Simultaneously, Americans were being sold the lie that empowering corporations to offshore and outsource American jobs was GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY AND THE NATION.

At the time, looking at the two stories side by side on the front page, the obvious question was: "HOW STUPID DO THEY THINK WE ARE?"

And now they're doin it again.

Now that more and more Americans are connecting the dots and experiencing the economic effects of offshoring, outsourcing and corporate rule, NOW it's time to blame the Mexicans again!!

Here is the solution to illegal immigration:

Charge The People Who Hire Illegals Illegally With Violating The Law.

Corporate Rule is the enemy, not the workers.



http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/congress/immigrant_benefits1_3-26.html
Online NewsHour, ALIEN NATION? March 26, 1996

In November 1994, Californians passed an initiative, Proposition 187, cutting off some health and social services, including access to public education to illegal aliens and their children. That initiative was put on "hold" by a federal court, but the vote helped set the stage for a national debate on immigration and major legislation in Congress. Kwame Holman reports.

www.aclu.org/immigrants/gen/11652prs19990729.html
American Civil Liberties Union : CA's Anti-Immigrant Proposition, November 8, 1994

LOS ANGELES -- A court-approved mediation today ended years of legal and political debate over Proposition 187, a controversial ballot measure that sought to limit services to illegal immigrants. The agreement confirms that no child in the state of California will be deprived of an education or stripped of health care due to their place of birth. It also makes clear that the state cannot regulate immigration law, a function that the U.S. Constitution clearly assigns to the federal government.

Passed in November 1994, Proposition 187 sought, among other things, to require police, health care professionals and teachers to verify and report the immigration status of all individuals, including children. Days after the measure passed, a federal district court judge held that it violated the United States Constitution and issued an injunction barring its implementation. Today's agreement validates that ruling.

In March 1998, U.S. District Judge Mariana Pfaelzer issued a final ruling in the ACLU's challenge to Proposition 187, confirming the federal government's exclusive authority over immigration and declaring the measure unconstitutional. The ACLU's news release on that ruling is at /news/n031898a.html.

 
CHRONOLOGY OF PROPOSITION 187

November 8, 1994
California voters pass Proposition 187. The stated purpose of the Proposition is to "provide for cooperation between agencies of state and local government with the federal government, and to establish a system of required notification by and between such agencies to prevent illegal aliens in the United States from receiving benefits or public services in the State of California."

November 9, 1994
After Proposition 187 passes, several actions challenging its constitutionality are commenced in California state and federal courts. Gregorio T. v. Wilson brought by the ACLU/SC and MALDEF, contests all provisions of the initiative. Ultimately, five suits are filed in the United States District Court. The plaintiffs seek to bar the Governor and other state officials and entities from implementing and enforcing the provisions of Proposition 187.

November 1994
A temporary restraining order is issued, barring Proposition 187 from being implemented.

August 22, 1996
President Clinton signs the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRA) of 1996 into law. The PRA creates a statutory scheme that restricts and defines the eligibility of certain non-citizens for federal, state and local benefits and services.

September 30, 1996
President Clinton signs into law the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), further supplementing the federal immigration regulatory scheme.

March 13, 1998
The district court issues decisions, ruling that sections 1, and 4 through 9 of Proposition 187 are preempted by the federal PRA, IIRAIRA, and other federal law.

June, 1999
Governor Davis initiates a request for mediation to resolve the appeal of Proposition 187.

July 29, 1999
The mediated agreement is signed by all parties and submitted to the court