Prop. 187 Decision Disappoints Gallegly

U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly said Tuesday he was disappointed by a federal judge’s decision on Monday that throws out key provisions of Proposition 187 because they clash with superseding federal immigration laws.

But the Simi Valley Republican said that an immigration reform bill pending before Congress would achieve most of the objectives of the state initiative anyway--in a nationwide context.

Gallegly said he was not surprised by U.S. District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer’s ruling because she was generally regarded as a liberal, adding that he believes most Americans disagree with her views.

“What this judge can’t do with her black robe and nameplate on her desk is change the will of the people,” he said.

Gallegly said the immigration reform legislation that he and other members of Congress support will reaffirm what he contends is the majority view.

“This truly is a federal issue,” Gallegly said. “Had the Congress and the president been doing their job, there never would have been a Prop. 187.

“Next year, there will be the toughest piece of legislation on illegal immigration ever passed into law in the history of Congress,” he predicted.

Gallegly said Proposition 187 has made elected officials throughout the nation aware that Americans are unhappy with current immigration laws and are strongly in favor of reform.

Gallegly stressed that the comprehensive immigration bill he and other members of Congress are promoting is not a “federal 187,” and focuses mainly on enforcing the nation’s borders.

However, like Proposition 187, the proposed immigration reforms would deny welfare, public housing and other government services to illegal immigrants, with the exception of emergency medical care.