Colo. [illegal alien] reporting requirement repealed

Colorado sheriffs and police will no longer be required to notify federal authorities when they arrest someone suspected of living illegally in the U.S., ending a policy passed seven years ago when Democrats and Republicans unified on strict immigration laws.

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill Friday that repeals the 2006 law...

The repeal is among bills proposed by Democrats this year that highlight a major shift on how they view immigration policy in the state. Along with the reporting law, in 2006 Democrats also joined Republicans in passing a bill that barred those in the country illegally from receiving any public benefits, except for emergency services.

This year, Democrats are advancing a proposal that would allow driver's licenses for immigrants [illegal aliens] in the country illegally. And [illegal alien] students who graduated from Colorado high schools... will also be eligible for in-state tuition under a bill expected to be signed Monday...

Rep. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, sponsored the 2006 reporting law... doesn't like that, in repealing everything in the reporting law, lawmakers also struck portions that forbid municipalities from passing ordinances that limited or prohibited law enforcement cooperation with immigration officials. [see sanctuary cities]

Harvey said he doesn't think public opinion on immigration enforcement has changed since 2006.

"I guarantee you it's not public opinion," he said. "It's a shift in the numbers in the Legislature."... This session, Democrats are in complete power..

"Elections have consequences," Harvey continued. "Those that want to encourage more illegal behavior and encourage more illegal immigrants to come to Colorado have the power to pass legislation down here because of the numbers in the Legislature."...