rssImmigration Coalition Will Target Special Session Law
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at 8:07 pm
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A coalition of immigrant rights organizations from around the state will be targeting two laws that were passed by the legislature last year. And one of the laws is a product of a special session called by Democratic leaders.
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), an alliance composed of human rights and labor groups, will be leading the charge against Senate Bill 90 and House Bill 1017. HB 1017 came out of a special session lawmakers participated in over the summer that focused on immigration. The bill deals with employee verification, and was sponsored by Democrats.
SB90 was sponsored by Republicans and signed into law in May by former Governor Bill Owens. It requires members of law enforcement to notify the federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when there is “probable cause” that an arrestee might be illegal.
According to a Rocky Mountain News article, HB 1017 has left employers confused and anxious about enforcing the law:
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“There’s nervousness out there as to how far is this going to go,” said Milo, whose association represents about 350 firms statewide that do highway construction.
The new laws “are troublesome because they’re vague and sometimes they conflict with current federal law,” Milo added.
In the legislature today, Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany (R-Colorado Springs) also spoke on the special session laws:
But now those who are being affected the most by the new laws will be campaigning and organizing supporters around the state, to reform some of the perceived damage that took place last year.
