During the late 1990s, California saw a significant influx of immigrants, both legal and illegal, primarily from Mexico and Central America. This period was marked by intense debates over immigration policy, public services, and economic impacts.
Although passed in 1994, the effects and debates around Proposition 187, which aimed to restrict illegal immigrants' access to public services like healthcare and education, continued into the Davis administration. The proposition was largely nullified by federal courts by 1999, but it set a tone for future policy discussions.
In 2003, Governor Gray Davis signed a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses using a taxpayer identification number instead of a Social Security number. This was seen as an effort to improve road safety by ensuring immigrants took driving tests and obtained insurance. However, it became a significant point of contention in his political career, contributing to his recall in 2003.[](https://www.foxnews.com/story/schwarzenegger-repeals-licenses-for-illegal-immigrants)
The recall of Gray Davis in 2003 was influenced by various issues, including his handling of illegal immigration. Arnold Schwarzenegger capitalized on the anti-incumbency sentiment, promising to undo Davis's driver's license policy among other fiscal reforms.
Immediately upon taking office, Schwarzenegger repealed the law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, fulfilling one of his key campaign promises. This decision underscored his initial stance as a moderate on immigration, appealing to voters who saw the previous policy as rewarding lawbreakers.[](https://www.foxnews.com/story/schwarzenegger-repeals-licenses-for-illegal-immigrants)
Schwarzenegger's views on immigration were complex and evolved over time.
Early in his term, he supported a border fence but later criticized the idea as outdated. He advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, suggesting that the economy required a "free flow of people" but also recognized the costs of illegal immigration on the state's budget.[](https://www.foxnews.com/story/gov-schwarzenegger-shifts-views-on-immigration-issues)
He often balanced between recognizing the contributions of immigrants to California's economy and the need for federal intervention in immigration policy. His acknowledgment of the economic benefits from immigration was evident in interviews where he criticized the scapegoating of undocumented immigrants for economic issues.[](https://thinkprogress.org/schwarzenegger-affirms-that-undocumented-immigrants-are-not-to-blame-for-californias-economic-woes-32bdd02b0d0b/)
During Schwarzenegger's term, California faced significant budget deficits. Some attributed these deficits to the costs associated with serving undocumented immigrants, although Schwarzenegger himself pushed back against this narrative, highlighting broader economic issues at play. He pointed out that the real financial strain came from state worker salaries, benefits, and pensions rather than immigration services alone.[](https://capsweb.org/press-releases/californias-budget-problems-exacerbated-illegal-immigration/)[](https://www.rrstar.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2009/06/18/schwarzenegger-defends-immigrants/44594890007/)
Despite his initial hardline approach, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill in 2004 that would have again allowed undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses, citing security concerns over identity verification.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5851457)
He also engaged in public debates, defending immigrants against being scapegoated for the state's economic woes and comparing such blame to historical precedents of scapegoating.[](https://www.rrstar.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2009/06/18/schwarzenegger-defends-immigrants/44594890007/)
Schwarzenegger's policies and statements were closely monitored in Mexico due to California's large Mexican immigrant population. His initial tough stance on immigration raised concerns in Mexico about potential harsh policies, although his later actions showed some moderation.[](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/arnold-bid-troubles-some-mexicans/)
Throughout this period, the dialogue on illegal immigration in California was polarized, with Schwarzenegger navigating between conservative demands for stricter immigration control and the economic realities of a state heavily dependent on immigrant labor. His tenure reflected the broader national debate on how to integrate immigration policy with economic, security, and humanitarian considerations.
During Jerry Brown's second term as Governor of California (2011-2019) and Gavin Newsom's subsequent governorship, several policy decisions and legislative actions were perceived by critics to have exacerbated the state's approach to illegal immigration, thereby encouraging more undocumented immigrants to come to or remain in California. Here's an analysis of these developments:
One of the most significant actions during Brown's term was the signing of Senate Bill 54 in 2017, which turned California into a "sanctuary state." This law restricted local law enforcement's cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), limiting their ability to detain undocumented immigrants for federal immigration violations unless they had been convicted of certain crimes. Critics argued this policy made California a magnet for those seeking to evade federal immigration enforcement.
Brown also signed laws that expanded benefits for undocumented immigrants, including access to in-state tuition at public colleges and universities through the California Dream Act. In 2013, he approved legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, a move seen by some as an incentive for illegal immigration due to the benefits it provided without regard to immigration status.
Brown's administration often publicly clashed with the Trump administration's immigration policies, further signaling California's stance as a refuge for undocumented immigrants. His decisions to limit state resources from assisting with federal immigration enforcement were seen as a direct challenge to federal authority, potentially encouraging illegal immigration by reducing the fear of deportation.
Gavin Newsom continued and even strengthened Brown's sanctuary policies. He made it clear that California would continue to resist federal policies perceived as hostile to immigrants. For instance, he withdrew National Guard troops from the U.S.-Mexico border, reversing a previous collaboration with the federal government aimed at border security.
In response to Trump's second term policies, Newsom called a special legislative session to "Trump-proof" California, part of which involved setting aside funds for legal battles against federal immigration policies. This move was interpreted as an effort to shield undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement, potentially making the state more attractive for those without legal status.
Newsom vetoed some bills aimed at further expanding benefits for undocumented immigrants, citing budgetary constraints, but his administration continued to support existing programs like health care for low-income undocumented adults and education benefits. Critics see these benefits as pulling factors for illegal immigration.
Newsom's rhetoric often emphasized California's role in leading on immigration policy, criticizing federal actions and advocating for undocumented immigrants' rights. This vocal support was perceived as a message to both residents and potential immigrants that California would remain a safe haven.
All governors' policies have been praised by advocates for humane treatment of immigrants but criticized for potentially encouraging illegal immigration by diminishing the consequences of entering or remaining in the U.S. without legal status.
The desert areas migrants travel through can reach temperatures of 118°F in the summer. Migrants may drown in the Rio Grande while attempting to cross, helping others, or after their boats capsize.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): CBP reported 8,050 deaths between 1998 and 2020.
- Border Angels: Border Angels estimates that about 10,000 people have died since 1994.
- Missing Migrants Project: The Missing Migrants Project documented 1,365 deaths and disappearances in 2021
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
