We're getting warmer...
I opposed Proposition 187 in California. When Social Security reform ended federal food assistance to immigrant seniors, I was the only governor in the country to cover the cost.
October 20 - October 26 AsianWeek.com
Still looking for concurrent quotes though, in case you don't take the President at his word.
"I was against the spirit of . . . [Proposition 187] for my state," Bush said of the 1994 California measure. "I felt like every child ought to be educated, regardless of the status of their parents." Dallas Morning News, 6/30/99, p. 23A.
Interesting, though, that Bush misrepresents the "spirit" of 187 here, since children weren't going to be kept out of taxpayer-funded schools for the status of their parents, but for their own. That is, children who themselves were Illegal would not be entitled to public education in California. Link to both George W. Bush quotes on Proposition #187
From
http://www.adversity.net/special/george_bush.htm:
Bush Brings Presidential Drive to Calif., Reaches Out to Latinos (06/30/99)
As with the NY Times article (above), the LA Times makes much of the fact that Bush refused to directly endorse California's proposition 209. According to the LA Times, the major news pertaining to Bush's visit to this state is that he did go on record as opposing the controversial Proposition 187 which would have barred illegal immigrants from state-supported benefits. "Trying to banish the ghosts of failed campaigns, Texas Gov. George W. Bush opened his presidential effort in California on Tuesday with an explicit embrace of Latinos and an implicit criticism of the tactics employed by Republicans here in the past.
[In opposing Calif. Prop. 187, Bush said] "'Everyone must have a first-rate education, because there are no second-rate children, no second-rate dreams,' Bush told audiences of campaign donors in La Jolla, Irvine and Los Angeles as he opened a three-day California tour. Boasting of improved school scores among Latino and African American children in [his home sate of] Texas, he added: 'I believe in the best for every single child in my state.'" (Based on LA Times 06/30/99 by Cathleen Decker)
[link http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/STATE/t000058613.html ]
The links to the L.A. Times article are no longer operational - no surprise there.
I was against the spirit of . . . [Proposition 187] for my state," Bush said of the 1994 California measure. "I felt like every child ought to be educated, regardless of the status of their parents." OK .. did just a "little" research on prop 187 and it seems to have covered several issues like medial health care, social programs, seniors and one being education
By that quote above it sounds like Bush didn't like the education portion of it .. which I can understand for several reasons .. one being if these kids are not in school then they will be on the streets which will end up with even a bigger problem and cause crime rates to increase even more
Now I understand you will say that they are illegal and shouldn't be here .. but might I also mention that their parents maybe illegal but if these children were born in the USA .. then they ARE US citizens
Then there is how will the State know exactly who is legal and who is not .. seems to me that the State would also need to fork out more funds to find out who should attend the schools and how shouldn't
Bottom line .. it seems to me that this prop 187 wasn't worded very good ..
Now I know you won't like my answer .. so let's hear it .. LOL