Arizona's Prop. 200 is About Upholding U.S. Immigration Laws
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Federation for American
Immigration Reform issued the following statement:
FAIR firmly believes in the motto e pluribus unum -- "out of many, one" --
that people of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds who embrace the
ideals of our constitution are part of one unified American community. We
also believe that America is a society based on the rule of law and that
rampant illegal immigration threatens the principles for which this country
stands.
A recent public opinion poll shows that 74 percent of Arizona voters
support Proposition 200, which would require the state to withhold benefits
from illegal immigrants if federal law bars them from receiving those
benefits.
While organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the virtually
unknown Center for New Community would like to tar all supporters of
immigration reform with the same brush, there is a time for complete candor
and sober assessment. When there is evidence someone has crossed the line, we
are compelled to speak out: Views expressed by a Ms. Virginia Abernethy, a
Nashville, Tennessee advisor to Kathy McKee -- appointed after the signature
turn in and utterly uninvolved in the signature gathering process -- are
repugnant, divisive and do not represent the views of the vast majority of
Arizonans who support Proposition 200. These views were reported by the
Arizona Republic on Saturday, August 7, 2004. We do not know why she was
appointed by Ms. McKee, but FAIR and everyone FAIR represents categorically
denies and repudiates Abernethy's repulsive separatist views.
This gross error in judgment by Ms. McKee -- appointing someone whose
views are so marginal and discreditable -- continues a long pattern of
similarly inexplicable and erratic conduct by McKee, and confirms the need for
both to step aside at this juncture. Beyond the actual turn in of signatures,
Ms. McKee has had little to do with advancing Proposition 200 for months.
The only separatism we advocate is separating Virginia Abernethy and Kathy
McKee from this effort before they do any more damage. We believe this is the
prevailing view among activists and advocates in Arizona. Ms. McKee no longer
has a following and no longer any substantial support. Having turned in the
petitions -- mostly generated by other organizations -- Ms. McKee no longer
has any useful role in any case.
Proposition 200 is about enforcing our immigration laws, protecting the
safety and security of our nation, and lifting the enormous financial burden
that mass immigration is placing on the shoulders of law-abiding taxpayers in
Arizona. These are the issues to discuss in this effort -- and these are
issues on which there is agreement, across all ethnic groups and political
blocs.
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