Tancredo: Immigration Milestone Draws Little Media Coverage

By Bobby Eberle
Talon News
November 9, 2004

Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) on Monday expressed his dismay over a "media blackout" on coverage of the newly passed immigration reform measure Proposition 200 in Arizona.

"Arizona's Proposition 200 marks a milestone in the battle for common sense immigration reform," said Tancredo, chair of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus.

"I am disappointed -- but not surprised -- by the lack of media attention dedicated to the passage of this measure that the media and political establishments staunchly opposed." Tancredo continued.

Arizona voters approved the initiative last week by a vote of 56%-44%. The measure was supported at the polls by 47% of Latino voters.

The measure is aimed at keeping illegal immigrants from voting in elections and preventing them from receiving some government services.

Under Proposition 200, voters would be required to show proof of citizenship to register to vote and again to actually cast a ballot. Citizenship would also have to be verified before an applicant could receive welfare or other state social services.

"The abject failure of the federal government to address the problem of illegal immigration has finally prompted Arizona voters to say 'enough is enough,'" Tancredo continued.

The congressman went on to predict, "[M]ore 'Prop 200's' across the country are sure to follow if Congress doesn't step up to the plate and take [th]is issue on."

Even though passed by a clear majority of Arizona voters, there is a possibility that the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act will never become law.

Any law that affects voter's rights must be approved by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure it conforms to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Court challenges to the measure are also expected.

Kathy McKee, chairwoman of the Protect Arizona Now group that circulated petitions to put the measure on the ballot, told the Tucson Citizen that the group would not disband.

"We're going to hang in there to make sure it's really over," McKee said.