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Elgin OKs resolution on illegal immigration
By Christine Byers
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Thursday, November 30, 2006

Any move local governments are making these days on immigration generally rouses great interest from residents and outsiders alike — not so in Elgin Wednesday.

The city council passed a resolution with no discussion other than a kudos from Councilman Tom Sandor to city attorney Bill Cogley for drafting the statement.

Sandor originally pitched the idea of drafting a resolution calling on the federal government to enact and enforce a comprehensive immigration policy during a Dec. 15 meeting.

Only two audience members spoke about the issue, including Doug Heaton, who has attended nearly every city council meeting since June asking local leaders to enforce existing immigration laws.

He urged the city council to do more than just ask the federal government for help.

“Rather than push it off on the federal authorities, we should look for ways to act locally,” he said.

Heaton brought a copy of Senate Bill 06-090 passed by Colorado’s General Assembly, which mandates local police catalog illegal immigrants they encounter.

That policy helps police track fingerprints and other identifying information on illegal immigrants involved in crimes.

“Otherwise they are non-persons to law enforcement,” Heaton said. “It’s as if they don’t exist.”

Heaton also said he was unsure what the word immigration “reform” really meant, because he believes credible policies already exist.

But Heaton did say he was proud of the Elgin City Council for taking some action on the issue.

“If we don’t ask, we don’t get,” he said.