How did Proposition 187 affect immigration policy in California?

Proposition 187, passed by California voters in 1994, specifically aimed to deny public services to undocumented immigrants. This initiative was a response to increasing concerns over illegal immigration and its perceived impact on state resources. The measure sought to prohibit undocumented immigrants from accessing services such as healthcare and education, fundamentally altering the landscape of immigration policy within the state.

By enacting this proposition, California aimed to address the economic and social strife associated with undocumented immigration, reflecting a broader national dialogue around immigration at the time. Proposition 187 represented a shift towards stricter immigration enforcement and a more exclusionary approach to public services, making it a significant event in California's immigration policy history. The initiative was later declared unconstitutional, but it raised important discussions about the rights of immigrants and the role of state policy in managing immigration issues.