Critics of immigration law turn attention to election mandates (MALDEF at it again with AZ Prop 200)

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 1/18/05 | Paul Davenport

[nj26]

Opponents of a voter-approved Arizona immigration law are opening a new front in their fight against the law, arguing that the measure will virtually eliminate voter registration drives and place other obstacles in front of minority voters.

A civil rights group and Democratic legislators are separately asking the U.S. Justice Department to block implementation of new election requirements imposed by the law, approved as Proposition 200 on the state's Nov. 2 ballot.

"It hurts minorities, particularly Hispanics and Native Americans that do have a language barrier," said Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix.

The move comes after the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and other opponents of the law were unsuccessful in initial court challenges to nonelection provisions aimed at keeping illegal immigrants from obtaining some government services.

A separate objection filed by MALDEF said the polling-place identification requirement amounts to an illegal "poll tax" on voters because low-income, minority and elderly voters – especially those living on Indian reservations and living in extended households – are less likely to have driver's licenses or other types of identification required by the law.

"With no vehicle, there is no need for a driver's license. With no plumbing, there is no water bill. With no telephone, there is no telephone bill," MALDEF attorney Steven J. Reyes wrote. "American citizens should not be denied the right to vote because they are poor."

[bahblahbah]

"It hurts minorities, particularly Hispanics and Native Americans that do have a language barrier,"

Ugh, god forbid that they learn English. The Germans got wise during WWI and stopped speaking it in public. We need some kindof pressure. Bush should push for assimilation laws to make these people learn the damn language and our culture.

[bahblahbah]

Is there any organized effort to get more of these types of ballot initiatives passed in other states?

[gubamyster]

ping

[dennisw]

Mexico uber alles! It's the scourge of MALDEF. Rotten commie organization.

[iopscusa]

"With no vehicle, there is no need for a driver's license. With no plumbing, there is no water bill. With no telephone, there is no telephone bill..."
Blahblah and they got NO citizenship....they must absolute failures and from other countries and why do we even want them here, much less voting! Tag and Dump 'em across the BORDER!

[texastoo]

My friend's mother doesn't drive. She has a Texas State ID for boarding airplanes, cashing checks, etc. Does Arizona have a similar ID for those who don't drive?

[sasafras]

"Does Arizona have a similar ID for those who don't drive?"

Yes we do.

[janetgreen]

Bush should push for assimilation laws to make these people learn the damn language and our culture.

Bush could start the ball rolling if he would actually enforce existing immigration and border law. Unfortunately his actions show us that his Hispanic constituents (legal and illegal) mean more to him than the majority of American citizens do.

[judgeandjury]

My friend's mother doesn't drive. She has a Texas State ID for boarding airplanes, cashing checks, etc. Does Arizona have a similar ID for those who don't drive?

I believe that all 50 states issue an ID card for those people who don't have a driver's license.