How did California's Proposition 187 impact immigration policy?

Proposition 187, passed by California voters in 1994, aimed to restrict access to public services for undocumented immigrants, including healthcare and education. Its intent was to deter illegal immigration by making it more difficult for undocumented individuals to live and thrive in California. However, the proposition faced significant legal challenges and was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in 1999, as it conflicted with federal immigration laws. This ruling highlighted the tension between state-level initiatives and federal immigration policy.

The impact of Proposition 187 on immigration policy was largely negative for those who supported its measures, as it did not succeed in its goals and set a precedent for how states could not independently enforce immigration policy in ways that contradict federal regulations. The backlash against the proposition also fueled advocacy for immigrant rights and contributed to a reevaluation of immigration issues in California and beyond.