Campaign for Community Change

10/12/06

My name is Heather Jenkins. I am a life long resident of Arizona, and I am here to explain why these four anti-immigrant ballot initiatives must be defeated. As a community, Arizona must restore humanity and dignity to the immigration debate.

These propositions go too far. They won't stop people from coming here. They will do real harm to our neighbors, families, co-workers and friends already here.

Prop 300 would deny access to child care, adult basic education and in-state tuition to undocumented residents in Arizona. What's wrong with that? It punishes the children – many of whom are US citizens – of hard working parents. Children and education are values that Arizonans should cherish. Why make it harder for members of our community to contribute to the overall health of our State?

Prop 100 would deny bail to undocumented immigrants suspected of committing serious offenses. What's wrong with that? Remember that judges already have the authority to withhold bail in the circumstances described in this measure. This measure takes away the presumption of innocence, denies due process, treats people unequally and criminalizes people on the basis of their status. Vote NO on Proposition 100.

Prop 102 would deny punitive damages to a person who wins a civil lawsuit if they are undocumented. What's wrong with that? It makes an already vulnerable group of people even more vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse. It would give bad employers, drunk drivers and real criminals a free pass. Vote NO on Proposition 102.

Prop 103 establishes English as the official language of this state. Any person performing an official act of the state or a local government would be required to preserve, protect and enhance the role of English as the official language. What's wrong with that? Remember, English is essentially our official language now. According to the Behavior Research Center, more than 80 percent of Latinos in Arizona speak English already. This proposal would only make it harder for those who are struggling to learn English.

Together, these ballot measures will do real harm to Arizona. But if we can defeat one of these measures, Arizona can send a message that we are getting tired of the extreme rhetoric being used in this immigration debate so that we can finally get to some real solutions that are impacting our neighbors, friends and families