Us & Them: Immigration and the Construction of Race

Student Handout #4

Proposition 187

This initiative measure is submitted to the people in accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 8 of the Constitution.

This initiative measure adds sections to various codes; therefore, new provisions proposed to be added are printed in {+ italic type +} to indicate that they are new.

PROPOSED LAW

SECTION

1. Findings and Declaration.

The People find and declare as follows:

That they have suffered and are suffering economic hardship caused by the presence of aliens in this state.

That they have suffered and are suffering personal injury and damage caused by the criminal conduct of aliens in this state.

That they have a right to the protection of their government from any person or persons entering this country.

Therefore, the People declare their intention to provide for cooperation between their agencies of state and local government with the federal government, and to establish a system of required notification by and between such agencies to prevent aliens in the United States from receiving benefits or public services .

Guided Thinking Questions

Use the document above to answer the following questions.

• What is the purpose of this piece of legislation?

• To whom do you believe this legislation is referring and why would this group have been excluded?

• During what time period might this legislation have been written?   What evidence supports your hypothesis?

• What evidence do you have of racial thinking?