ELECTIONS / 24TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT : Beilenson, Sybert Spar Over Proposition 187

U.S. Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D--Woodland Hills) and his Republican challenger, Richard Sybert, jumped into the Proposition 187 fray Wednesday, agreeing that illegal immigration needs to be controlled but parting ways on the controversial ballot proposition.

Beilenson condemned the initiative as ineffective, costly and unconstitutional during a debate sponsored by the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce, while Sybert said it is an important first step in easing the state’s immigration woes.

Along with health care and the federal budget deficit, immigration is the issue that is surfacing repeatedly in the 24th District race, as it is in election contests across the state. At the center of the debate is the initiative on next month’s ballot that would deny government assistance to illegal immigrants and their children and call on authorities to report those who have entered the country illegally.

Beilenson, who is seeking his 10th term in a district that represents Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Malibu and the Conejo Valley, said he has fought for years for more Border Patrol agents and a better system for verifying the legal status of job applicants.

Proposition 187 would accomplish neither, he said.

But Sybert, a former official in Gov. Pete Wilson’s Administration who is making his first bid for elected office, argued that Proposition 187 has already succeeded by focusing the nation’s attention on the issue and prompting the federal government to beef up border patrols.

Sybert--whose father is an immigrant from Holland and whose wife emigrated from Brazil--said his family followed the rules when they arrived. Those who slip across the border illegally are draining significant resources from the state, he said.

“It’s not without flaws,” Sybert said of Proposition 187, “but I haven’t seen an initiative that’s not.”

While Sybert said the measure will send a signal to Washington about Californians’ frustrations, Beilenson said the message has already arrived. The crime bill approved earlier this year, for instance, included money to beef up patrols at the U.S.-Mexico border, Beilenson said.

The two candidates meet for two final debates today. They will meet at a luncheon debate sponsored by the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 a.m. at the Calabasas Inn, 23500 Park Sorrento. Lunch is $20. Then they will debate at 7:30 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente, 5601 De Soto Ave., Entrance 5.