Colorado Democrats take steps to curb local assistance to ICE agents
Colorado Democratic lawmakers have set out to remind state law enforcement agencies that they’re not responsible for carrying out federal immigration policies.
An earlier version of the bill also would have forbidden local governments from using tax dollars to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. However, at the request of Gov. Jared Polis’ office, Benavidez reduced the scope of the bill.
Efforts to curtail cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials have been a flashpoint between Polis and some of the statehouse’s more progressive Democratic lawmakers. The Democratic governor has long been a supporter of immigrants — including opening up a charter school for English-language learners before seeking higher office. But he vowed during his 2018 campaign to veto any bill that would create a so-called “sanctuary state.” ...
Polis on Monday declined to discuss specifics about Benavidez’ bill with reporters but spoke broadly about the problems with the nation’s immigration system.
“What frustrates us at the state level is that immigration needs to be fixed federally. It’s a federal problem,” Polis said. ““There aren’t a lot of good options for states. Certainly, we want to treat every resident of our state — as long as they follow our laws — with dignity and respect.”
Besides reinforcing existing state law and case law, the bill does establish two new policies. One would prohibit parole officers from sharing a parolee’s immigration status with federal authorities. The second would require local law enforcement officers who do legally coordinate an interview between an immigrant [includes illegal aliens] and federal officials to advise the immigrant of certain rights — such as the right to obtain a lawyer...
CAIRCO Notes
As Polis stated "we want to treat every resident of our state — as long as they follow our laws — with dignity and respect” then he must be talking about lawful immigrants. Illegal aliens are not following our laws. Why do legal immigrants worry about ICE? Unless they are not following our laws?
Related
Fearing Polis veto, lawmakers neuter bill meant to limit ICE’s reach in Colorado, Colorado Independent, April 24, 2019.