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INVASION USA Mexico threatens Arizona over anti-illegals measure Official says challenge in international courts possible to block voter-passed Proposition 200 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: January 28, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com A Mexican government official has threatened to use international courts to block an Arizona law meant to limit public benefits and voting rights to legal residents of the U.S. Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said in a radio interview Wednesday that an international strategy would be used if other attempts to reverse Proposition 200 fail, the Associated Press reported. "We are seeking all the legal opportunities that exist, first...

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona has become the first state to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, a measure that supporters say is intended to prevent voter fraud. The law went into effect Tuesday after being approved by voters in November. It requires that people provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, when registering to vote and show specified forms of identification when casting a ballot at a polling place. A civil-rights group and Democratic legislators recently had urged the Department of Justice to reject the law. They argued the changes will erect barriers that will hinder...

PHOENIX - A Hispanic rights group is asking federal officials to veto changes in election laws approved in November by Arizona voters. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund contends that requirements for identification to register and vote will harm the ability of the state's Latino community to exercise its constitutional rights. Fund attorney Steven Reyes said that makes the provisions of Proposition 200 illegal violations of the federal Voting Rights Act. Andrea Esquer, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said her agency will defend the changes as legal. Proposition 200 requires county election officials to reject any voter...

STEIN REPORT XXXXX Wednesday, January 05 2005 10:41:18 ET XXXXX IMMIGRANT GROUPS FILE NEW APPEAL TO OVERTURN PROP. 200 "A national Hispanic group is asking a three-judge federal panel to halt implementation of some provisions of Proposition 200, which became law roughly two weeks ago. On Tuesday, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed an emergency motion with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco seeking to block the public-benefits provisions of the voter-approved law," the Arizona Republic reported. "The emergency motion asks the judges to make a decision within 21 days. Two weeks ago,...

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, whose attempt to block implementation of an Arizona initiative prohibiting illegal aliens from receiving public benefits was denied by a federal judge, will appeal the decision this week to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.     The initiative, known as Proposition 200, passed Nov. 2 with 56 percent of the vote. It requires state and local government employees to verify the immigration status of those seeking public benefits and to report to federal immigration authorities any applicant who is in violation of U.S. immigration law. It also subjects...

TUCSON - A federal judge on Wednesday lifted an order barring Proposition 200 from becoming law, clearing the way for state, county and municipal employees to immediately start reporting to immigration authorities suspected undocumented immigrants seeking public benefits. U.S. District Judge David Bury's decision allowed Gov. Janet Napolitano to issue an executive order enacting the controversial voter-approved legislation Wednesday afternoon. The decision left some municipal officials across the Valley and state scrambling to prepare workers who will be required to ask all who apply for public welfare benefits for proof of citizenship. Attorneys for the Mexican American Legal Defense and...

UCSON, Ariz. (Reuters) - A federal judge lifted a block on a controversial Arizona law on Wednesday forcing state officials to begin restricting some government benefits to illegal immigrants. In a ruling from the bench, U.S. District Judge David Bury said he did not believe that opponents would ultimately succeed in challenging the law passed by state voters in the Nov. 2 general election. Bury said no "irreparable harm" would be caused by lifting a temporary restraining order that he had imposed late last month. The judge, who was appointed by President Bush, had said at the time there were...

(CBS) The only thing hotter than the peppers being picked along the U.S.-Mexico border these days is the reaction to Arizona's voter approved Proposition 200 aimed at weeding out illegal immigrants, cutting off their public benefits and sending them back home. "These people just flood across and they're ruining our health care system and they're ruining our schools," says Walter Kolbe. "The people are just fed up with it." As CBS News Correspondent Jerry Bowen reports, From Kolbe's backyard one can see Mexico and the backpacks and water bottles abandoned by the nightly wave of illegals crossing over. "We are...

(Phoenix, Ariz.) - U.S. District Judge David C. Bury Wednesday denied the preliminary injunction request to bar the implementation of Proposition 200, which was adopted by Arizona voters on November 2. “The State can now move forward to implement the new statute,” Attorney General Terry Goddard said. The Attorney General’s opinion issued on November 12 clarified that the “state and local benefits” subject to the verification requirements of Proposition 200 are limited to Arizona Revised Statues Title 46 (relative to welfare payments). Goddard’s opinion provides guidance to State employees. The Attorney General’s Office will continue to work with client agencies...

(Phyllis Schlafly) An activist judge strikes again! David C. Bury of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the will of the people and enjoined enforcement of Arizona's Proposition 200, which would require Arizonans to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote and require valid identification when applying for state benefits. It's clear that Prop 200 represents the people's demand that their government enforce laws against illegal immigrants. It passed with 56 percent of the vote even though it was opposed by public officials of both parties, the Chamber of Commerce, big labor and the...

PHOENIX - A federal judge has given the OK for Gov. Janet Napolitano to officially proclaim approval of Proposition 200. Judge David Bury, in an order released Wednesday, said Napolitano is free to declare that voters approved sections of the initiative which require proof of citizenship to register to vote and mandate that those seeking to cast a ballot must first present identification. That, in turn, permits the state to submit the change to the U.S. Department of Justice for its required review of whether the measure illegally impairs the voting rights of minorities. But Bury left intact part of...

PHOENIX - Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has asked a federal judge for permission to sign a voter-passed immigration initiative, despite the issuance of a temporary restraining order blocking its implementation. The governor's office filed a motion Friday in U.S. District Court in Tucson asking Judge David C. Bury to allow her to issue a proclamation making Proposition 200 law. The Arizona Constitution requires her to declare as law the measure, which would mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration and proof of residency status for some government services. Napolitano had planned to sign the proclamation last week, but she said...

A federal judge in Tucson on Tuesday temporarily barred the state from implementing a ballot initiative aimed at cutting illegal immigrants off from public benefits.

TUCSON — A federal judge blocked the state Tuesday from implementing Proposition 200, at least for the next three weeks. Judge David Bury granted a temporary restraining order after lawyers hired by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund argued that people will be harmed if the voter-approved initiative is allowed to take effect. Attorney Hector Villagra said individuals are likely to be denied benefits to which they are legally entitled. Villagra said those arguments are not undermined by the fact that state Attorney General Terry Goddard concluded the effects of Proposition 200 are limited. He said Goddard's legal...

Experts: Resources too scarce for Prop. 200 enforcement More Updates By ANANDA SHOREY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOENIX - Federal immigration officials don't have the resources to punish illegal immigrants who may be reported by government workers under a recently approved Arizona initiative aimed at cracking down on fraud, immigration experts say. State and local government workers who don't report illegal immigrants who apply for some benefits and services could go to jail or face fines under Proposition 200, which voters passed Nov. 2. Federal officials won't be responsible for enforcing the state law, but they will have to deal with...

LOWRY: THE BREWING IMMIGRATION BACKLASH National Review editor Rich Lowry says the passage of Prop. 200 should tell President Bush that an amnesty is a bad idea. "What Proposition 200 exposed is this: Our elites have very little intention of enforcing immigration-related laws, and they are outraged at the notion that they should. All the great and good in Arizona lined up against the proposition. Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, Republican Sen. John McCain, the Service Employees International Union, the Catholic bishops and the Chamber of Commerce all opposed it," Lowry says. "That populist sentiment [behind Prop. 200] is very real,...

Emboldened by the passage of an Arizona ballot measure that prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits, like-minded conservatives are stepping up their efforts for a similar initiative in California. "It's clear there is public support for cutting off benefits to people here illegally,' said Mike Spence, president of the California Republican Assembly, a group pushing a similar proposal in California. "What happened in Arizona is definitely a benefit because it keeps the issue at the forefront.' Despite the opposition of Arizona's political establishment, including business groups, churches and Republican and Democratic lawmakers, Proposition 200 prevailed 56percent to 44percent last...

I thought this importaint. It seems as though these poor people are really afraid they might have to prove they are not illegal immigrants. In fact- because of the crazy voters they are skipping school. As usual plans are already being made to get a judge to subvert the will of the people...And legislate from the bench. Sorry I can't give you a working link because FR policy won't allow it due to copyright complaints. So I will only provide a non working...non clickable link for those who want to read the story. How to fix the link? That should...

A referendum approved in Arizona designed to clamp down on undocumented immigrants has sparked similar efforts across the country and drew protests from the Mexican government. Despite strong opposition from the state's governor and congressional delegation, voters approved Proposition 200, placed on the ballot by a grassroots effort led by Arizona activists and funded by national immigration-restriction groups. It tightens Arizona laws to keep undocumented immigrants from voting and from getting welfare and other government help. The Mexican government lamented passage of the measure, saying it "will lead to discrimination based on racial profiling while limiting access to basic health...

  A Barrier To True Reforms October 28, 2004 By Tamar Jacoby Sometimes – especially in an election year – you have to know how to read between the lines. Presidential candidates are nothing if not careful, and you don’t get to the top of the ticket without knowing how to duck a difficult question. But candidates are also highly skilled at telegraphing their views on hot-button issues – and that’s exactly what President Bush did last week when a reporter asked about his position on Proposition 200. The conversation took place on Air Force One en route to...