State needs feds' help enforcing immigration laws, legislator says

By GARY HARMON/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Monday, June 08, 2009

with Associated Press reports

Law enforcement officials in Colorado are doing about all they can do to catch illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, an auditors’ report said.

The state, however, could use more help from federal officials, said state Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction.

Auditors on Monday told the Legislative Audit Committee that even though lawmakers passed a law in 2006 making it easier for state authorities to enforce federal immigration laws, there is no way to force the federal government to take action.

“The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service policy of not sharing information with local communities leaves a large gap in the law enforcement process,â€