Arizona begins restricting benefits to immigrants
Arizona's controversial curbs on benefits for illegal immigrants was in effect last Thursday even as opponents planned their next move. A federal judge Wednesday lifted a court order barring Proposition 200 from becoming law; however opponents planned to appeal to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco as soon as possible. The Arizona Republic said Latino activists would file the appeal either Thursday or Monday. Prop 200, which was approved by the voters in November, requires state and municipal employees to confirm the immigration status of applicants for welfare and various other public benefits. U.S. District Judge David Bury ruled Wednesday that Prop 200 did not go beyond the scope of existing federal law that requires applicants for public benefits to provide proof of eligibility. [more]