Question

Why did a federal court rule that California's Proposition 187, a ballot initiative, was unconstitutional?

a. Violation of equal protection under the law.
b. Excessive state interference in federal immigration policy.
c. Inadequate public support for the proposition.
d. Contravention of the First Amendment rights.

Answer 1

A federal court ruled California's Proposition 187 unconstitutional due to excessive state interference in federal immigration policy, which is a power held exclusively by the federal government.

Therefore, the correct answer is: option b). Excessive state interference in federal immigration policy.

Step-by-step explanation:

California Proposition 187 was a 1994 ballot initiative to establish a state-run citizenship screening system and prohibit illegal immigrants from using non-emergency health care, public education, and other services in the State of California. Voters passed the proposed law at a referendum on November 8, 1994

A federal court ruled that California's Proposition 187 was unconstitutional for a specific reason. The proposition aimed to deny undocumented immigrants access to public services, such as schooling and healthcare.

However, the federal court found it unconstitutional because it represented excessive state interference in federal immigration policy.

The U.S. Constitution establishes that the creation and enforcement of immigration laws are powers held by the federal government. Thus, Proposition 187 was preempted by federal law, meaning it could not be enforced as states do not have the authority to regulate immigration.