Expansion of Colorado detention facility for illegal immigrants wins approval


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The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado
June 3, 2008

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AURORA, Colo. — Plans for a $72 million expansion of a privately owned and operated illegal immigrant detention facility can proceed after Aurora City Council members said they weren’t deciding federal immigration policy.

Anthony Paradiso, a property owner near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract facility, filed an objection over the planned expansion from 400 beds to 1,500 beds. He recently withdrew his objection and the council voted Monday to cancel it’s review of the Planning Commission’s approval of the plan.

About 20 people spoke in opposition, mainly on humanitarian grounds.

GEO Group, the private company, agreed not house state prisoners there without approval from the city and to incorporate solar energy.

“We aren’t here to decide federal immigration policy. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,â€