While the larger war of words about immigration rages nationally, Arizona is fighting its own battle over immigration in the form of Proposition 200.
The proposition, to appear on Arizona's November ballot, would require people to prove citizenship when registering to vote or to receive public benefits.
Opinion polls show it is favored by two out of three Arizonans, but that support could erode as political, business and religious groups line up against it.
Opponents include major political figures such as Gov. Janet Napolitano, U.S. Sen. John McCain and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. They argue that Proposition 200 would not stem the flow of illegal aliens, could lead to discrimination based on appearance and ethnicity and could cost the state $27 million in federal funds.
School of Justice and Social Inquiry professor John Johnson said the proposition could have a devastating effect on the landscaping, hotel and restaurant industries.
"The brute truth is that our immigrants and undocumented workers are working in the kinds of jobs Americans will no longer take, so they are very functional and profitable for our economy," he said.
Supporters say illegal immigration costs Arizona about $1 billion a year in public benefits, far outstripping the cost of the proposal.
Besides, they say, the proposition does not change the benefits available to illegal immigrants. Hospitals must provide care to anyone needing emergency treatment regardless of legal status or ability to pay under federal law.
Critics say immigrants could lose those benefits indirectly, however. Groups, such as the Coalition to Defeat 200, say that the proposition will scare illegal immigrants from coming forward when they need police assistance or emergency care because the proposition would require state and local government employees to notify federal immigration officials of suspected undocumented immigrants who seek public benefits. Those who fail to do so could face up to four months in jail and a $750 fine.
Johnson, advisor to ASU's American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International chapters, said the public benefits argument doesn't make sense.
"Foreign nationals or undocumented people are not eligible for most public benefits now, save things like emergency medical care," he said. "Is this the intent of the Proposition 200 proponents -- to deny emergency medical care to those who need it?"
But Angela Paz, a broadcasting senior who has family members in Mexico, said the proposition would prevent fraud.
"I know it's a hard process to come here and become a citizen, but the process is there for a reason, and people need to go through it," she said. "People can't just come here and expect to be able to vote."
Neither does she worry that citizens with Hispanic surnames will be targeted.
"I don't think that someone looks at me and my family and thinks that I'm not here legally," she said. "If they did, I would be more than happy to hand over proof of my citizenship."
ASU political science professor Adrian Pantoja said voting by illegal immigrants is a non-issue.
"Anyone who would believe the undocumented immigrants come here to vote is living in a fantasy land," he said. "These are people that are trying to avoid government. The last thing they're going to do is register and give the government their information."
Pantoja said the proposition closely resembles California's Proposition 187, which was struck down by a federal judge after being passed by voters in 1994.
"What it resulted in was a Latino electorate that was angry and upset," he said. "Immigrants naturalized and voter turnout skyrocketed, particularly among the immigrant population. Something very similar could happen here. You're going to have a Latino electorate that is politicized. Once this happens, you're going to see a very different Arizona."
Pantoja said that despite its flaws, he has no doubt that the proposition will pass. "Undocumented immigrants do not have friends," he said.
Heather Wells is a print journalism senior. Reach her at Heather.Wells@asu.edu.
