Two Sides of Gov. Wilson in Illegal Immigrant Debate

On the volatile issue of state services to illegal immigrants, Pete Wilson might be playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The humanitarian Gov. Wilson wants the state Legislature to continue limited services for critically ill and severely disabled adults and children who are in jeopardy of losing such care under the new federal welfare reform law, which bans most public benefits and services to those here illegally unless exempted by the state. His humane position should receive the support of state Senate and Assembly Democrats and Republicans.

Wilson also seeks a state exemption to allow continued medical treatment for illegal immigrant children who suffer from cystic fibrosis, cancer and other major illnesses. And he wants another reprieve from Washington’s new prohibition of aid for poor, infirm, elderly and severely disabled illegal immigrants who depend on state-financed in-home support, long-term nursing home care and 24-hour care in state development centers. Five health care programs would continue with existing patients but would accept no new applicants.

The governor would continue immunizations for illegal immigrant children. The point here is to protect the health of all people living in California.

Wilson wants the state to extend all these expensive services, even though California is not legally obligated to do so. This is commendable and perhaps, to some, unexpected. It will be Californians, not Washington, picking up the bill. The estimated costs have not been calculated, but the services are priceless to those who need them.

What can we expect from our governor? He rarely advocates on behalf of illegal immigrants. He is much better known for his demagogic zeal for cutting off services to undocumented immigrants in his professed belief that such benefits “serve as a magnetic lure drawing illegal aliens across our border.” He strongly backed the anti-immigrant Proposition 187, which was approved by the voters in 1994 but remains stalled by legal challenges. If upheld in the courts, this mean-spirited ballot measure would deny most state-financed services, including public education, to illegal immigrants.

But now the governor may not have to wait on the courts for a decision on 187. The new federal welfare reform law itself prohibits most services and benefits to illegal immigrants.

After a seven-month internal review of state agencies, Sacramento has identified more than 200 state services, including prenatal care, drug treatment, mental health services and issuance of commercial fishing licenses, that could be off-limits to illegal immigrants by next year unless the Legislature approves additional exemptions.

Cutting benefits is the custom of Mr. Hyde. The kinder and gentler Dr. Jekyll is the Wilson we saw this week.