By Peter Marcus, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Immigrant rights groups are gearing up for what is sure to be a heated battle in Washington over comprehensive immigration reform.
Groups gathered in community centers, churches, restaurants, union halls and living rooms across the nation and in Colorado Wednesday night to participate in a national teleconference town hall on immigration reform. The event included Congressman Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., who has outlined a series of core principles that he says should be part of a comprehensive reform effort.
At the heart of the battle is finding a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.
Fueling the debate is remarks by White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who stated last week their commitment to reform, signaling a push for legislation.
“Here in Colorado, we demonstrated that communities across Colorado are informed, engaged and taking action to support comprehensive immigration reform legislation in 2010 that supports families, provides a path to legal status, and protects workers,” said Julie Gonzales, state director of the Reform Immigration for America campaign.

Doubt
Doubt still lingers as to whether Congress will want to tackle the issue, as lawmakers are already facing historical health care reform and controversial energy issues. Some analysts say the legislation will likely be postponed until after mid-term elections next November.
But the White House is calling for immigration reform efforts to begin as early as the beginning of next year. Napolitano has called for a “three-legged stool” approach that includes tougher enforcement of immigration laws, including a crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers; a streamlined system for legal immigration; and a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants.
Earlier this year, President Obama had signaled his support for immigration reform. But then in August, Obama said during remarks in Mexico that immigration reform would have to take a back seat to health care and energy reform efforts. His statement frustrated immigrant rights advocates.
The proposal being pushed by the White House would require undocumented immigrants to register, pay fines and back taxes, pass a criminal background check and learn English in order to become a legal citizen.
Legislation in 2007 — pushed by President George W. Bush — sought tougher border controls and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Obama supported the legislation, but Bush’s fellow Republicans in Congress killed the proposal.

Would undocumented go through process?
Critics of the reform effort doubt that many undocumented immigrants would actually go through the effort to become legal citizens. Those with criminal records, or who owe thousands of dollars in taxes likely won’t go through the process, say critics.
Stan Weekes, director of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform – a group that objects to mass immigration over concerns of extreme population growth — said there are likely thousands of undocumented immigrants out there with criminal backgrounds and who don’t want to pay back taxes.
“If we granted this path to citizenship, how many of them are going to do it?” asked Weekes. “Why would they turn themselves in to get deported?”
He added that many undocumented immigrants are not in the country because they want to be here, but because economic conditions back home are so bad that they are forced to come to America to earn money to send back to family members back home. Many won’t go through the trouble of becoming citizens because they plan on leaving America once they’ve raised enough money to feel comfortable, said Weekes.
“In reality, it really doesn’t solve the problem for America — it solves the problem for some individuals who are in the country illegally, but it doesn’t solve the immigration problem for America,” he said. “It’s not the be all, end all — it’s a lie to the American public to say this is a solution.”

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By Peter Marcus, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Democrats are pushing back against a Department of Homeland Security announcement last week that it will enter into new controversial agreements with local law enforcement agencies to combat illegal immigration.
Congressman Jared Polis, D-Boulder, said standardizing the 287 (g) program would only threaten the nation’s constitutional protections.
He points to accusations of racial profiling associated with the program, including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapio in Phoenix, who is being investigated by the Justice Department. Organizations such as the ACLU and Congressional Hispanic Caucus are calling on the government to end the controversial program.
“We’ve watched in horror as (Arapio) and others ? a disgrace to the uniforms that they wear ? have detained people based solely upon the color of their skin,” Polis said Wednesday during a floor speech.
“287 (g) scares victims and witnesses of crimes to avoid contacting people for fear of being mistreated,” he continued. “287 (g) invites exploitation by those who know that they won’t be reported to police, because it combines the contradictory duties into the same police force.”
Homeland Security said that it would enter into new agreements with 67 state and local law enforcement agencies.
Former Congressman Tom Tancredo, an outspoken Republican on immigration issues, said the program is effective, and therefore should not be scaled back.
“To the extent that Immigration and Customs Enforcement would actually cooperate with a local law enforcement entity, it’s been marvelously effective,” said Tancredo. “We exponentially increase the manpower available to identify and get illegal aliens off our streets and out of the country.”
But the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition says the program does little to achieve comprehensive reform, which should be the ultimate goal.
“Expanding enforcement-only measures, like the 287 (g) program, does nothing to bring us closer to fixing our broken immigration system. It only succeeds in terrorizing communities and compromising safety,” said Julien Ross, executive director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. “Any program that has local police acting as immigration enforcement creates widespread fear ? victims and witnesses avoid the police, making all of us less safe. Moreover, racial profiling abounds, with people targeted for the way they look or speak.”

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Denver Rep. Joe Miklosi is quietly lining up community support for a bill that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state college tuition, The Denver Post reports. He sponsored a similar bill in the House in the 2009 legislative session that died after fierce debate in the Senate.

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By Gene Davis, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Colorado immigration rights groups demanded Tuesday that U.S. lawmakers immediately pass an immigration reform bill that would reunite families, enact the DREAM Act and protect undocumented laborers.
Tuesday’s rallies coincided with an event being held by U.S. Rep Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. During the rally that was held on the lawn of the United States Capitol, Gutierrez outlined a series of core principles that he says should be a part of a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the House of Representatives. His core beliefs include addressing the concerns expressed by local protesters Tuesday.
“We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it,” he said. “It is time we had a workable plan making its way through Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants to this country and that honors the American Dream. I am preparing such a plan.”
Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, threw her support behind Gutierrez Tuesday. She echoed other activists in saying that the current immigration system is broken and must be fixed immediately.
Anti-illegal immigration activist Tom Tancredo, however, blasted Gutierrez’s principles and his forthcoming immigration reform bill. The former congressman said there is already a pathway to citizenship for people born outside the United States, and that lawmakers shouldn’t reward people who broke the law by illegally immigrating to the country.
“It’s a stupid thing to push for the legalization of illegal aliens when you have a 10 percent unemployment rate,” he said.
Self-described daughter/mother/student/worker Yatzin Islas immigrated to the country illegally with her family when she was seven years old. Four years ago, her dad was shot in the leg. Because her dad was undocumented and couldn’t get health care, the thousands of dollars in medical debt that resulted from the shooting caused the family to fall behind on their mortgage and lose their house.
“My story is one of many that shows that the broken immigration system in this country is pulling people apart,” she said. “Growing up, I’ve realized how difficult life is without a Social Security number.”
Gutierrez said Tuesday that his reform bill will strengthen the DREAM Act. The initiative would grant in-state tuition to the children of undocumented residents and provide a pathway for select students to achieve citizenship. Although the bill was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on March 26, 2009, it has yet to be heard on the floor of either chamber.
Tancredo told the Denver Daily News earlier this year that the bill should be renamed the NIGHTMARE Act because it would increase the amount of people who come to the United States illegally.
“If that’s the purpose of it, then it should be a success,” he said. “But for everyone else who considers more illegal immigration in the country as a bad thing, then this isn’t a good idea.”
Meanwhile, supporters of the DREAM Act say the initiative would be just and have far-reaching positive effects.
“Immigrants brought here as children should not be punished with fines or other means,” said Gutierrez. “Rather, they should be fully integrated into our society as the Americans they truly are — and as quickly as possible.”
Gutierrez didn’t give an exact date for when he plans to introduce an immigration reform package, only saying that it would be in the near future.

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By Gene Davis, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Armed with bilingual signs and chants of “we want to follow our dreams,” a group of riled-up Denver-metro students Wednesday did their best to reignite the debate over immigration reform and higher education.
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would grant in-state tuition to the children of undocumented residents and provide a pathway for select students to achieve citizenship. Although the bill was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on March 26, 2009, it has yet to be heard on the floor of either chamber.
The crowd of approximately 75 high school and college students staged a “walk-in” to the Auraria Campus in hopes of bringing attention and momentum back to the proposed legislation. The rally was one of more than 100 similar events being held throughout the country Wednesday.
“Up with the DREAM Act; let’s get these young people educated and create a just society,” said Dr. Ramon Del Castillo, department chair of Chicano Studies at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. “You have the right to follow your dreams and that’s what the DREAM Act is about.”

Tancredo: More like a nightmare
Not everyone is dreaming that the bill will make its way through Congress. Tom Tancredo, an outspoken illegal immigration opponent, told the Denver Daily News earlier this year that the bill should be renamed the NIGHTMARE Act because it would increase the amount of people who come to the United States illegally.
“If that’s the purpose of it, then it should be a success,” he said. “But for everyone else who considers more illegal immigration in the country as a bad thing, then this isn’t a good idea.”
However, the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, another adamant opponent of illegal immigration, isn’t against the DREAM ACT in principal, according to the group’s president, Chris Simcox. Simcox said in March that if the bill focuses only on the child and doesn’t have any extra provisions like allowing the student’s family a pathway to citizenship, then he isn’t necessarily against it.
“They need to be brought out of the shadows. They need to be documented and swear an oath to become a citizen,” he said. “If they do that, then by all means they deserve the opportunity that anyone else has.”

Stories from students
High school senior Fatima Rashad Wednesday said that her experiences at East High School have encouraged her to support the DREAM Act. She said that she became upset after learning that some of the brightest students she knows won’t be able to attend college because of immigration laws.
“Everyone deserves to be educated; there is absolutely no reason why someone shouldn’t,” she said.
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., echoed Rashad’s comments in a statement that was addressed to the rally’s attendees. While serving as superintendent for the Denver Public School System, he witnessed “some of our best and brightest” have their potential cut short, he said.
“Instead of punishing them for the action of others, we should reward them because in the end our whole state will reap the rewards of a stronger workforce and a stronger economy,” he said in the statement. “Those who work hard and play by the rules should have the chance to live the American dream.”
But William Gheen of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC said in a statement that granting undocumented students in-state tuition would have detrimental consequences.
“In-state tuition for illegals legislation replaces innocent American students in the limited seats in college at taxpayers’ expense,” he said.
The DREAM Act’s delay in making it to the House and Senate floors is partially due to lawmakers trying to decide whether to vote on the bill separately or as part of an overall immigration reform package, according to Bennet’s statewide director Romaine Pacheco.
An estimated 65,000 undocumented students who would qualify for aid under the DREAM Act graduate from high school each year.

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By Gene Davis, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Following this month’s bust of 14,500 marijuana plants that allegedly were in part being grown by Mexican migrant workers, a Colorado Springs senator is calling on Gov. Bill Ritter and the General Assembly to take aggressive action on illegal immigration in Colorado, though immigrant rights’ groups say lawmakers shouldn’t blame entire communities for the actions of a few individuals.
Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, said on Friday that in lieu of the “growing role illegal immigration plays in expanding international drug cartels in the United States,” Ritter and fellow lawmakers should beef up on the Colorado State Patrol’s immigration unit. He added in a press release that the state should consider requesting federal stimulus funding to step up law enforcement against illegal immigration.
“The safety of our citizens ought to be the governor’s paramount concern and should take precedence in budget matters — even in a down economy,” said a statement from Schultheis. “It’s time to reprioritize.”
But Julien Ross, executive director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, pointed to the recent state audit of Senate Bill 90 — legislation that requires law enforcement officers to notify U.S. Immigration when they have probable cause to believe that someone they have arrested is in an illegal immigrant — which found that a perpetrator’s immigration status has nothing to do with an inclination for criminal action. As a result, it would be misguided to call for increased state enforcement of federal immigration laws as a result of the recent drug bust because it would erode trust, not prevent crime.
“Research shows immigrants to be far less likely to commit crimes than native born citizens and to actually contribute to making neighborhoods safer,” said Ross in a statement. “Lawmakers concerned about the drug trade would be better served focusing on lessening the demand for drugs in their local district than scapegoating immigrants.”
Colorado “has a history of going easy on illegals” and is becoming known as a sanctuary state, countered Schultheis. He said in a press release that Ritter should support a bill he will again introduce next year to require Colorado employers to utilize the federal E-verify program.
Ritter’s office declined to comment.

Gone to pot
On Aug. 21, federal and local law enforcement officials seized approximately 14,500 live marijuana plants in the Pike National Forest in Jefferson County. The bust is believed to be the biggest outdoor marijuana growing operation ever caught by Colorado law enforcement.
As agents advanced on the grow site, an estimated seven to 10 people were seen running from the area. Their sleeping bags and food items were recovered at the site, and information developed during the investigation determined that Mexican migrant workers had been recruited from outside the state of Colorado to harvest the marijuana plants, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Two suspects associated with the marijuana grow location have been identified, but law enforcement agencies are not releasing any more information at this time, citing an ongoing investigation.

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By Peter Marcus, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Despite President Obama putting immigration reform on the back burner, local immigrant rights advocates still have love for the chief executive.
The president made gains with immigrant rights groups when he unexpectedly dropped by a White House meeting last week attended by more than 100 immigration reform advocates. The session was led by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano — Obama was not expected to attend.
Obama’s appearance was carefully calculated considering just one week earlier in Mexico he said immigration reform would have to take a back seat to health care and energy reform efforts.
The strategy meeting was closed to the press, but attendees said both Obama and Napolitano expressed their commitment to immigration reform.
“President Obama and Secretary Napolitano remain committed to comprehensive immigration reform, know that enforcement of our outdated laws alone is no solution, and understood when we told them that pro-reform constituencies are growing impatient,” Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said in a statement.
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition called Obama’s appearance a “welcome surprise.” The group agreed that the Obama administration is committed to comprehensive immigration reform.
But the group is holding their applause until they see actual action.
“While the president continues with his commitment to immigration reform, we’re looking for public advocacy from Secretary Napolitano and a concrete proposal from Congress,” said Julien Ross, director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. “In the meantime, we’re asking for more accountability on enforcement measures, especially in detention centers and 287(g) programs.”
Advocates are deeply concerned about controversial agreements — known as 287(g) — between local police and the federal government, in which some immigrant rights groups have accused local agencies of using the agreements to abuse immigrants. The programs deputize local police as immigration agents.
Attendees of the meeting last week said Napolitano agreed that local agencies must be held accountable.
Obama had earlier this year signaled his support for immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship. He originally suggested that legislation would be brought to Congress by as early as the fall.
But facing an economic downturn, a historic health care debate and several energy issues, the president backed off on the immigration reform effort.
Attendees of the meeting last week, however, said the president confirmed that his original message remains strong.
“The President is clear that he wants immigration reform to move forward this year so that we can pass a bill early next year,” said Noorani. “To do that, we need to see more motion from Congress and more push from Secretary Napolitano.”

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By Peter Marcus, DENVER DAILY NEWS
A report released Wednesday by the Immigration Policy Center states that Latinos, whether legal or illegal immigrants, act as an economic boom to the state.
But an immigration critic says supporting immigrants outweighs any benefit. Read more about that below.
The report released Wednesday states that purchasing power of Latinos in Colorado last year totaled $21 billion. Latino-owned businesses had sales and receipts of $5.1 billion and employed more than 32,000 people in 2002 — the last year data is available — the report states.
Meanwhile, immigrants and their children are growing. Foreign-born Coloradans grew from 4.3 percent in 1990 to 10 percent in 2007, making Colorado home to 485,170 immigrants that year — about the population of Sacramento, Calif.
About one in 10 Coloradans is an immigrant, and one in five is Latino. Nearly one-third of all immigrants living in Colorado is a naturalized U.S. citizen, according to the report.
New Americans — defined as immigrants and their children — account for about 5.4 percent of all registered Colorado voters.
The Immigration Policy Center report also states that immigrants are “integral to Colorado’s economy.” They comprised 11.4 percent of the state’s workforce in 2007, including 5.4 percent who are illegal immigrants.
But despite concerns over illegal immigration, the Immigration Policy Center and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition say Colorado would lose $8 billion in expenditures, $3.6 billion in economic output, and approximately 39,738 jobs if illegal aliens were removed from the state.
Illegals paid between $159 million and $194 million in state and local taxes in 2005, according to the report, which cites the Bell Policy Center. Employers in 2005 also paid between $12 million and $15 million in unemployment insurance taxes to the state on behalf of illegal workers, according to the report.
“Immigrant workers, families and communities make invaluable contributions to the State of Colorado,” states the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
“It is imperative that Colorado policy makers embrace this reality by promoting immigrant integration, not immigrant exclusion,” said Julien Ross, director of CIRC.
But former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, an outspoken critic of immigration, said the cost of supporting immigrants far outweighs any economic benefits to the state.
“They may very well generate the dollars they’re talking about, but it doesn’t matter,” he said. “The cost to support that community — the education, health care, housing — because they are low-skilled, low-wage workers, that cost is far greater than the amount of money they generate. It always has been.”

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