Governor Napolitano has defended her handling of a voter-passed immigration initiative that was put on hold by a judge one day before she planned to declare the measure in effect.

Ms. Napolitano said she planned to sign a proclamation Dec. 1 making Proposition 200 effective. The governor said she didn’t because a federal judge issued an order on Nov. 30 prohibiting the measure from going into effect before Dec. 22, when a challenge mounted by opponents would be heard.

Proposition 200 backers sold the measure as a way to begin cracking down on illegal immigration in Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The leader of the group that led the drive to put Proposition 200 on the ballot criticized Ms. Napolitano, saying the governor’s delay in signing the proclamation was “a sad commentary on both her ability to govern and her character.’

Judge David C. Bury’s Nov. 30 order said a lawsuit by initiative opponents raised questions about the constitutionality of Prop. 200. His temporary restraining order will keep the measure from becoming law until at least Dec. 22 — the hearing date on the lawsuit.

“It seems to this court that a matter as important and with such potential ramifications as Proposition 200 requires and deserves time for thoughtful deliberation,” Mr. Bury wrote in his order.

Governor Napolitano on Dec. 1 signed all the proclamations for the ballot propositions except 200 “in light of the judge’s order.” “Everybody on both sides understood that this was probably going to get tied up in court before it went into effect, and what everybody predicted actually happened. Should he dissolve that order on the 22nd, I’ll proclaim it on the 22nd,” she told reporters Dec. 1.

Proposition 200 requires proof of legal immigration status when obtaining certain government services and proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Government workers who don’t report illegal immigrants who try to get benefits could also face jail time and a fine.

—Compiled from Associated Press and Arizona Capitol Times reports.

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