JUDGE SAYS PROP 187 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A federal judge has ruled that much of California's controversial Proposition 187, which denies public services to undocumented immigrants, is unconstitutional. United States District Judge Mariana Pfaelzer ruled that the state proposition is an illegal attempt to regulate immigration. San Francisco Bureau Chief David Jackson reports: "California has an enormous number of illegal aliens, and 187 was an attempt to slow their influx. But as this judge's ruling illustrates, there are a lot of complex legal questions involved, and this is a long way from being resolved. Prop 187 has never really been implemented. It was virtually frozen in its tracks the day after the elections by lawsuits challenging its legality. This ruling will have little immediate impact not only because of the court challenges, but also because many of the teachers and medical professionals have refused to withhold services to the illegal immigrants."