Proposition 187 : How Has the Future Changed?

The passage of Proposition 187, forbidding schooling and most health services to illegal immigrants and increasing penalties for false documentation, is by no means the end of the debate. Now come the lawsuits, the arguments over how or if it should be enforced, and speculation as to what it means to race relations in California. We asked activists, students, the educators and health professionals tasked with enforcing the measure, people who are here illegally and, not least, some ordinary voters selected at random to tell us their visions of the future, post-Proposition 187.

The Enforcers

SANDY MERMELSTEIN

Teaches government at Hamilton High School, West Los Angeles

I am hoping that the court challenges succeed. I have no intention of enforcing it in any way, shape or form. I cannot turn in any of my students.

I am worried about the divisiveness it has created on campus. There is a lot of tension between students of color. The kids who support it are saying things like “send them back.” This initiative has led to an atmosphere of anger and mistrust. Kids are really mad.

It doesn’t make any sense to me that people are saying this will send a message to the federal government. They say, “We don’t want to pay for these undocumented immigrants,” yet will be paying millions of dollars to finance the legal challenges (against the initiative).

Sgt. BUFF CROSSLEY

Pacific Division, LAPD

I think this initiative has already increased tensions. But it is a temporary thing. If people are law-abiding citizens, it won’t affect them at all. As a policeman, I have no interest in enforcing immigration policies. It is counterproductive.

I was not surprised at all that it passed. People have come to the realization that it is a money issue. The people have made a statement that they want their borders controlled. We just cannot afford this anymore. It has nothing to do with race but rather with economics.

DOUG CROSSE

School board member, Simi Valley

I wasn’t a proponent of 187, although I see a real problem with the cost of social services and education for illegals. I do see some problems with the way the law is written, especially as it impacts schools and their function of acting as quasi-agents for the Immigration and Naturalization Service without compensation or a system to do so.

As far as immediate impact, it’s pretty obvious that there’s going to have to be a whole lot of litigation. I think you’ll probably see some protest, though in our district it probably will be mild.

KAREN LAMP

Family practice physician,

Venice Family Clinic

I will continue to carry out the mission of the clinic, which is to provide care to people with no access to health care. A patient’s immigration status is completely irrelevant to my relationship with them, to managing the medical problem. This initiative violates a doctor’s ethic of confidentiality.

If we are forced to implement this, it is going to mean that a lot of women go without prenatal care. They will be afraid to go to the hospital for deliveries. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are easily treated and relatively inexpensive if treated in an ongoing fashion, but not if complications develop.

PETER F. BASTONE

Chief executive, Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital, Inglewood

I understand that the Governor has requested the Department of Health Services and the Emergency Medical Services division to submit specific criteria to the hospitals in terms of how to handle this situation. There’s probably going to be a large, new layer of bureaucracy to carry out the 187 mandate. For hospitals and schools to be doing immigration work is really inappropriate.

It’s hard enough just delivering care let alone another administrative assessment making sure that the documentation we receive from the patients is legitimate.

Where the county, state and city fall short in providing care, Catholic hospitals have a mission. We will continue to take care of those patients that are in need no matter what their race, color, creed or residence.

The Affected

BRISA

Sixth-grader, Thousand Oaks

My mom, my dad and my baby brother are illegal. My parents came to the United States, my sister and I were born here, then they went back to Mexico. My brother was born there.

My dad trims trees and my mom is a housekeeper. My parents came to the United States because they wanted a good education for us. They told us they didn’t want us to be raised like donkeys. They want us to get a good job, so you can raise your family better.

What bothers me the most is that they always pick on Mexicans instead of other people. It hurt me really bad since I’m Mexican. I guess it’s because they think we’re different but we’re not.

My parents said a couple of times at dinner that we might have to move. I don’t want to leave my friends. I’m afraid that we will have to move to Mexico and I won’t be able to go to college or get a good education.

A couple of days ago I was playing soccer and some boy came up to me and kicked me three times. I didn’t do anything to make him mad. Maybe he kicked me because I’m Mexican.

TOMAS

Undocumented worker from Tlaxcala, Mexico

If the wages in Mexico were the same as here, we would still be in Mexico. We are being treated like worthless people and we are people with a lot of worth here and every other country. I pay taxes. Nobody lives in this world for free.

This proposition is not in the best interest of anybody. I think tensions will rise among Americans (whites) toward Latinos. But we are the ones that are helping them. I am not afraid, but I wish we could have rights.

LOUISA

Housekeeper, Santa Ana

I don’t understand why there is so much hatred toward Mexicans. This law will only fuel the hatred. I’m just trying to support my kids and make sure they get a good education so they will be better off. A lot of people come to this country to make a better life. I don’t understand the whites. They point the finger at Mexicans for all the problems. I am scared. Are they going to arrest me? What about my kids? Can they go to school? I don’t know what’s going to happen next.

The Proponents

BARBARA KILEY

Mayor, Yorba Linda

The practical result will be that far fewer illegals will now come to California to work or for public benefits, knowing they’re going to be denied. Employers are going to have to pay minimum wage or they’re not going to get anyone to do those jobs. That may cut their profits but it certainly will save every one of us in tax dollars.

187 was a wake-up call to Washington about unfunded federal mandates. As a city official, I can tell you unfunded federal mandates are the bane of local governments in every state in the nation. We have now elected a new Congress that will put an end to some of these laws without funding and Washington will respond to the Immigration and Naturalization Service underfunding so we’ll have decent border control. They will deport illegals--especially criminals. And we’re going to see federal legislation that will reinforce and parallel 187.

MARK STURDEVANT

Chairman, Immigration Task Force, United We Stand America, La Habra

The immediate result will be implementation of the initiative regarding (tougher penalties for) false documents. It’s not likely that will be challenged. So parts of the initiative will move forward. People in the Legislature will know that we’re serious about taking action and getting this problem resolved.

The long-term fallout, I suppose, is that a lot of people around the world trying to get to this country are going to have to stop and think twice before they decide to move north--or east or west or even south. They even advertise in places like China and Hong Kong that you can come to this country and collect social welfare.

CELES KING III

West Coast public affairs chairman, National Black Republican Council,

Los Angeles

The short-term answer is that it’s going to let all of America know that we are going to have to deal with our borders. It is not only the wide-open border coming in from Mexico; it is also the Pacific Rim coming by air and boat and people coming in from Western Europe. In the long term, this will bring us into the real world. A lot of people would like to make it so that there is no distinction between the rights of a citizen and the rights of an illegal immigrant. If the resources begin to run thin, we can’t afford it.

We have had a very biased immigration policy. When Cubans were coming over, there was always a welcome mat for them. But when Haitians started coming over, it was necessary to send the Marines to Haiti. As far as the African continent is concerned, there’s basically no immigration policy that would allow blacks to come. So by excluding blacks and opening the door wide for Hispanics it was in itself an exclusionary policy.

I think this will be a much better country when we control our borders in a better fashion. We have already agreed to assist Mexico by opening up the border for economic development, which should help.

The Opponents

CELIA GRAIL

Acting executive director, El Rescate, Los Angeles

El Rescate has provided social and legal services for the past 13 years, primarily to Central American refugees that have fled war and terror in their home countries, mostly El Salvador and Guatemala. They left a land where they were suffering, came here, worked very hard. They’ve been paying taxes. A lot are just on the verge of becoming residents. Now they’re being told, again, that there’s no place for them.

We’re hoping the legal challenges will put a stop to this. And we’re very hopeful that sooner or later it will be proved unconstitutional. If it’s not, racism and hatred is going to be pervasive not just in Southern California, not just in California, but across the country. And it’s also going to create an underclass.

RABBI GARY GREENEBAUM

Member, Los Angeles Police Commission

One thing that frightens me tremendously is the idea of an identity card. As a Jew, I have a lot of trouble (with that) because identity cards have traditionally been used to single Jews out for discrimination in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. There’s something really divisive having everyone with an identity card.

Gov. Wilson said this is not about race, not about hate. I think he’s going to have to work very hard to prove that that’s not the case, to make sure that that does not become the case.

ANTONIO GONZALEZ

President, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Los Angeles

There are two levels to the short-term problems created by the approval of Proposition 187. On the one hand, we have an injunction thanks to Mexican American Legal Defense and other organizations that will prevent implementation on the official level. But on the unofficial level, clearly this will give license to people or businesses or entities that are inclined to discriminate against immigrant-looking people.

In the long term, scapegoating forces are going to seek to replicate Proposition 187 in other states. We can expect to see something in Congress and that means that this issue is not over. I can only see this as a really negative consequence.

On the Street

MARC BELL

Carpenter, Oceanside

The one big practical effect on me is that I will work a lot more now. I can’t compete with guys who are willing to work for below minimum wages. These illegals were taking food out of my mouth. I can feel for their problems. I think if I was in their shoes, I’d probably be doing the same thing. But unfortunately, I have to think about myself.

When I voted for Proposition 187, it was mainly to save my job. I don’t want to see kids taken out schools or be denied medical attention. But what else was there? I know there is a lot of anger and mistrust on both sides, but it was at the point where the problem was way out of hand. Hopefully, California will get more attention from Washington now, and we can take care of this immigration problem from the source.

BEN ESCOBAR

Retired teacher, Cerritos

Since I’m Hispanic, I feel nothing but fear and anger from this. This proposition puts us back 30 years. How can there be any understanding between the races when one group of people look at you as if you just came off the boat and are responsible for all that’s evil in the world?

I guess government will look more closely at the immigration problem, which I think does exist. And with a Republican Congress and Senate, there will be no doubt that immigration will be on the front burner. Whether we pursue Nazi tactics or truly look for responsible ways to handle the immigration problem remains to be seen.

CHARLES BRISTER

Founder of an African American

business referral service, Inglewood

In the short term, the lawyers are going to get paid. I don’t see them taking children out of school or denying access to hospitals immediately. We’ll probably have to wait for a Supreme Court decision before any of those steps are taken.

Long term, it’s going to mean more jobs for Americans. That will mean we actually start enforcing the existing law, cracking down on employers. If you have a minimum wage law you should not be able to hire a non-American for less and put an American out of work.

I want to see peace in the streets. I have nothing against legal immigration, just illegal immigration. It has to be legal immigration so we can regulate the flow. The country shouldn’t suffer because of it.

CHARLES BYUN

Executive director, Korean American Grocers Assn., Los Angeles

Speaking for myself, not the association, I did want Proposition 187 to pass because we needed some kind of action on illegal immigration. By passing it, we’re letting people know that California is not for illegal immigration. It is for legal immigration. I’m not saying that 187 is the answer to the problems that we’re facing. I really doubt that anybody could enforce 187. How could we not let children go to school or reject them for medical care or city services? In that sense, I doubt that this law will be implemented.

MINA GONZALEZ

College student, Santa Ana

I am an American, born and raised here. But since this proposition has passed, I feel ashamed and angry. How can any good come out of this? It’s not going to stop the illegal immigration. People are not coming to America because they want to be Americans. They are coming here out of desperation. They are looking for work and ways to feed their families.

Those who voted for Proposition 187 don’t realize the message they are sending. One of the reasons Hitler came to power was because he fed off people’s fear. I really don’t think this is any different. Mexican bashing is the vogue now. I’m sure the federal government will do what is popular.

HEATHER MACDONALD

College student, Anaheim

I think Proposition 187 will really help the crime problem a lot. Crime is really a big problem and I think a lot has to do with the immigration problem.

If Mexicans are in this country illegally, taking advantage of us, then I don’t have any respect for them. When I saw those kids protesting on TV carrying a Mexican flag, I’m sorry, I have no sympathy for that. If they hate it so much, go back to Mexico. If you want to be part of this country, then do it legally.

I hope that now California will start getting some attention from Clinton. He has no idea what it’s like. We need to start getting tough on the border.

LETICIA VELASCO

Junior, Venice High School

It’s not going to affect me in any way, but it’s going to hurt to see my friends kicked out of school.

I don’t think enough people went out and voted. They went out and protested but they could have taken that energy and gone going door to door to get out the vote and registering voters.

I don’t think it’s wrong to show pride by waving Mexican flags (at protests) but students have to realize that if they want to get something done, they need to go through the system.

Compiled for The Times by James Blair, Robin Greene, Erik Hamilton and Lorenza Munoz.