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Group gets mixed results in D.C. trip
By Fernando Quintero And Matthew A. White, Rocky Mountain News
May 25, 2005

WASHINGTON - A group of Denver-area community leaders - including illegal immigrants - who traveled to the nation's capital Tuesday to meet with elected officials on such issues as immigration policy and education reform had mixed reviews.

Most surprising was the reception they got from U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Colo., the only elected representative who actually met with the group. The other political leaders from Colorado they were scheduled to meet with, including Sens. Ken Salazar, a Democrat, and Wayne Allard, a Republican, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, sent aides instead.

"Mr. Beauprez seemed as though he wasn't very interested in talking to us initially. But then he warmed up to us because I think we were able to put a face to the immigration issue - an issue that has been very controversial and contentious," said Justo Sosa, a member of Metro Organizations for People, a Denver- based group that works to develop local leadership among low-income and middle-class families.

The group joined forces with PICO, a 30-year-old network of faith- based community organizations in 150 cities, to establish a dialogue with elected representatives. Fifty community groups in all convened in Washington for the meetings.

Sosa, a native of Chihuahua, Mexico, who came to the United States illegally in 1974, said Beauprez supported President Bush's position on securing the border. "But he seemed open to helping immigrants who are already here and who have been working hard and paying taxes," said Sosa. "We came away very impressed with his willingness to listen to our point of view."

Aides to the other elected officials said they were supportive of the efforts to establish a dialogue, but could not elaborate more because they were not knowledgeable enough about the issues they were presented with.

"We received no answers. We feel like we are leaving empty-handed," said Sharon Bridgeforth, an organizer with Metro Organizations for People.

In addition to immigration policy, the Denver group was in the nation's capital to seek support for better health care for children, home ownership tax credits, education reform and public safety.