"America was the place to be, a giant melting pot of immigrants forging a new frontier. Yet Native Americans were not to become citizens of the United States for another 38 years (1924) when the Indian Citizenship Act was passed.

Until then, the only way an Indian could be a citizen was to have served in World War I or, if a woman, by marrying a white man.

During World War II, the majority of eligible men from tribes across the nation proudly served in the armed forces.

They often were born at home, and no records were kept to prove citizenship. Yet there are many instances in which these veterans were denied benefits because they were not "citizens" of the United States.

In short, Proposition 200 seems to be a manifestation of the continued attempts at marginalization of the American Indian and other groups.

Should Prop. 200 prevail, many of our elders may be affected by the requirements for citizenship because they were either born at home or did not have records of their birth."

Get the Story:
Robert Valencia: Prop. 200 targets American Indians (The Arizona Daily Star 10/28)