Migrant rules, official English go to ballot

Legislature tries end run around governor's vetoes
Matthew Benson and Carrie Watters
The Arizona Republic

The Arizona Legislature on Wednesday sent measures to the November ballot that will ask voters to make English the state's official language and prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving a variety of state services.

But just as importantly, they voted against several of the most controversial measures being considered for the ballot. They decided against referring to the ballot measures that would have penalized employers who hire undocumented workers and appeared likely to reject a proposal that would have created obstacles for communities trying to condemn private property.

Immigration measures referred to the ballot will enable voters to:


• Block undocumented immigrants from being awarded punitive damages in lawsuits. Other proposals would put state subsidies off-limits to migrants, including child care and adult education as well as in-state tuition rates and state financial aid for college.


• Prevent local communities from enacting so-called sanctuary policies that bar area law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration law.


• Amend the Arizona Constitution to make English the official language of state government.