PHOENIX
Government agencies in Arizona will be required later this year to take another step aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from getting government benefits.
Beginning Sept. 19, applicants for state-funded benefits must show documents proving they are in the country legally. It won’t suffice for them to say that their presence in the country is lawful.
The new requirement, signed into law last week by Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, is intended to help enforce two laws that cut off benefits to illegal immigrants.
Republican Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, a driving force behind both voter-approved laws, said he sought the proof requirement after some officials asked whether it was enough for applicants to simply sign a document saying they were in the country legally.
Even though he believes most officials want to enforce the law, Pearce said he wanted to make sure the public’s costs for illegal immigration are kept at a minimum.
“The burden is not on the government to prove you are not eligible,” Pearce said. “The burden is for you to prove that you are eligible.”
