Controversial ballot issue Proposition 200 passed just over a week
ago. Supporters say it's meant to prevent illegal immigrants from
getting access to public benefits. But what "benefits" specifically
does it refer to? Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard in a legal
opinion released Friday says Prop 200 was written under
welfare law (Title 46) and should apply only to welfare programs.
But in a press release the Attorney General also says his opinion
won't be the last word on the proposition. Several legal battles
are expected, including the battle over the definition of public
benefit. Prop 200 supporter Russ Dove says a public benefit " is
defined as any grant, contract, loan, professional license
or commercial license" according to federal law.
Dove's interpretation appears to include more programs than the
welfare system. He says the intent of the proposition is to prevent
illigal immigrants from receiving state funds. Prop 200 opponents say
supporters are being unclear on purpose. "They have switched and baited
many times," said Prop 200 opponent Alexis Mazon, "and we have the
record of their public statements again and again over the past several
months." Mazon says opponents will take their battle to the
courts. "I think [the Attorney General's opinion is] a step
in the right direction, but we're moving forward with various legal
challenges. There's many constitutional problems with Prop 200,"
said Mazon, "and we're still going to go to court and make sure
Prop 200 is never enforced in the state of Arizona." [more
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