Home > U.S. Immigration and Migration > California Proposition 187

Voted into law in 1994 by California voters

Reprinted from Glenn Spencer's American Patrol Report (Web site)

California voters approve a law designed to stop immigrants without visas from receiving public benefits from the state

"The People of California declare their intention … to prevent illegal aliens in the United States from receiving benefits or public services in the State of California."

In 1994, voters in California approved a law designed to stop immigrants without visas, government documents that grant permission for admission to the country, from receiving public benefits from the state, notably medical care and public education. Voters acted through a provision of California's constitution that allows citizens to propose laws and to vote on them, functions normally carried out by the state legislature. The passage of the law reflected widespread...