Denial of Care to Illegal Immigrants — Proposition 187 in California

In November 1994, California voters approved Proposition 187, which requires publicly funded health care facilities to deny care to illegal immigrants and to report them to government officials.1 Supporters argued that “an invasion of illegal aliens” is bankrupting California and that free health care and education are magnets attracting illegal immigrants. In arguing for the measure, proponents declared, “While our own citizens and legal residents go wanting, those who choose to enter our country ILLEGALLY get royal treatment at the expense of the California taxpayer.”2 In a political climate favoring stricter control of illegal immigration, the federal government and other . . .