http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3143399

Article Launched: 10/23/2005 01:00:00 AM

Migrant forum tips emotions
Tancredo applauds call for reform
By Annette Espinoza
Denver Post Staff Writer



More than 300 people showed up at the University of Denver on Saturday for a raucous forum on immigration reform.

While U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, a leading critic of immigration policy, commended the crowd for its interest, more than 40 protesters calling for respect waited outside the Boettcher Center.

"It's gratifying to see this thing move," Tancredo said. "It's everywhere, everyone, every color, every stripe. It's from every ethnic background."

Stephen Carson drove more than 100 miles from Teller County to hear the speakers, who included Jim Spence, a former Immigration and Naturalization Service senior special agent; Waldo Benavidez, director of the Auraria Community Center; and Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman.

"This is about our nation's economic reality and jobs being replaced," Carson said.

The event was organized by Colorado Alliance News, in cooperation with Defend Colorado Now and the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform.

Outside, protesters represented the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Colorado American Indian Movement, Centro Humanitario Para Los Trabajados and American Friends Service Committee.

"This is a joke. Human rights are being challenged," said Shannon Pangani, who came with her family.

Protester Harold Lasso said, "America is not just white. America is a quilt made up of many colors. People need to be treated with respect and dignity."

Immigration activist Frosty Wooldrige called on Gov. Bill Owens "to represent us and start deportation of illegals in Colorado." He also

repeated what has become a new campaign message against Referendums C and D, which he said "will hide the cost of these illegal aliens."
The measures would lift state spending limits and suspend taxpayers' refunds for five years. Opponents of the Nov. 1 ballot questions say less revenue would be needed if the state were not funding services for illegal immigrants.

Benavidez, a social worker, said "rampant" illegal immigration is making it harder for low-income communities.

"The working poor have to compete for these services with non-citizens," Benavidez said.

Daniel Havlat said he attended the forum because of the frustration when his wife, Kveta, born in the Czech Republic, and their American-born son were kept out of the country. After three years, his wife got a green card.

"They just need to make things fair," Havlat said.