Secure Arkansas proposal on immigration reform disqualified

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Secretary of State Charlie Daniels says supporters of a proposal to deny state services to illegal immigrants did not gather enough signatures to get the measure on the Arkansas November ballot.

Daniels said Friday, July 9 that the group only submitted 67,542 signatures.

The proposal is disqualified from the ballot because not enough signatures were submitted.

Secure Arkansas collected signatures for a ballot initiative to amend the Arkansas Constitution.

Jeannie Burlsworth, Chairman of the group said “the proposal would have required anyone 14 or older seeking public benefits from a state agency to sign an oath saying they live legally in the country.”

In Arkansas, nobody without a social security number can access state or federal benefits.

Burlsworth said those who falsely fill out an affidavit could face perjury charges.

Secure Arkansas needed 77,468 signatures for the measure to make it on the ballot.

The reform of immigration laws is the role of the U.S. Constitution, not the state. The efforts in Oklahoma, Arizona and localities to change the laws contrary to the U.S. Constitution has resulted in millions of dollars being spent to defend the laws in court.

Secure Arkansass proposal would similarly achieve nothing for Arkansas and would be found to violate the U.S. Constitution.