In the past week California’s Proposition 187 has again stirred up furious debate.

In a demonstration last week, supporters and opponents of the controversial proposal clashed in a violent confrontation.

Sadly, the Independence Day holiday, a celebration of our freedom and heritage, served as a backdrop for this turbulent display.

Proposition 187 is a voter referendum denying welfare benefits and education for illegal aliens and was passed by California voters last year. About a week after the special election the law was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge in that state.

Debate continues as the law is now in a state of limbo; Prop 187 has not died but the opponents wish it would.

Opponents of this proposal continue to base their arguments on ignorance and simple fear mongering.

They have called it an egregious violation of the civil rights of potential citizens of our country. They call the law and its supporters racist and xenophobic; that they are intent on destroying the multinational culture of this country.

These people could not be any further from the truth. The intent of this law was to enable the state of California to increase welfare benefits to poor citizens by eliminating welfare assistance and education for people who are here illegally.

This law is only applying concepts of common sense. Are Iowa residents allowed to collect Montana welfare checks if they are citizens of Iowa? Certainly not. They must establish residency in Montana to obtain their benefits.

Why then, should American taxpayers be footing the bill for citizens of other countries who come here illegally? We can barely afford to pay entitlements for our own citizens, so how can we possibly afford to pay out our tax money to illegals?

To say that Prop 187 is a racist proposal is a stereotypical and prejudicial argument itself. The opponents like to say that this law only affects illegal immigrants from Central and South America.

The Latinos “making a run for the border” are not the only group of illegal immigrants in the United States, though they may comprise the largest group.

People from all countries try various unlawful ways to become citizens. Fake marriages and bogus green cards are tactics used by people of all races from all countries to become citizens, and some of these illegals happen to be Caucasian. The argument that this is a racist law doesn’t hold water.

Another popular argument concedes we have to give the illegals benefits since they are subject to our laws, according to the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This is also untrue.

With the exception of capital crimes like murder, rape, and kidnapping, aliens are deported if they commit a crime. They will not serve any time for committing petty theft, vandalism, or even for stealing a car.

Even if they were subject to our laws, the equal protection clause does not apply to them since it only recognizes properly naturalized citizens.

This law does not deny emergency medical benefits either. That would be barbaric. However the opponents want you to believe that Prop 187 would allow an illegal alien to be turned away from an emergency room because he is here illegally.

Who are the biggest losers if Prop 187 doesn’t become law? The hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants who come to America each year, that’s who.

They spent years saving their money and awaiting visas so they could live in the country that provides them more opportunities than any other. They struggled to bring their families here, filed for the necessary permits, took their citizenship tests, and became citizens of the United States of America. I’m sure if you ask a naturalized citizen, nine times out of 10 they will tell you it was worth the effort they undertook in getting here.

If this proposal is killed, we will continue to see illegal immigrants receive more and more of our tax money while they give us nothing in return.

True, some might finally become citizens, but what incentive is there for immigrants to be naturalized in this country if we keep giving them handouts? There is no incentive.

They will not take time to learn about the history, laws, and traditions of America. They will not be a good citizen if they don’t take the time to become a true citizen.

The intent of this law was to distribute the scarce resources of California’s tax money to those who are legal citizens of that state and this country. Those who oppose this law are only denying education and welfare benefits to those who truly deserve it.

Is it sad that some people are not getting what others in America are? Yes it is.

We have to draw the line somewhere though, to ensure that citizens of this country who qualify for welfare receive as much as they deserve before we start worrying about those who are not responsible enough to become a true part of this place we call America.

I am not against legal immigration, though. Our ancestors were immigrants. They toiled so we could have a better life. Our unity as Americans and diversity as people of different cultures was what we celebrated last Thursday.

This unique blend of qualities and heritage we possess as citizens is something you learn and experience. It’s something you can’t truly understand unless you are born here or take the time to be a true citizen of this country.

Illegal immigrants are not taking the time to achieve the real prize. That’s why we have legal immigration — so people can experience the true meaning of what living in the greatest country on the earth is really like.

Citizenship — that’s the true prize of immigration.

Robert Zeis is a senior in finance from Des Moines.