Foes of illegal immigration work to export Arizona's crackdown
Posted: Aug 18, 2010 3:47 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 18, 2010 5:19 PM CDT


St. Senator Russell Pearce meeting with Colorado lawmakers in Phoenix

Reporter: Steve Nuñez
Web Producer: Forrest Carr

PHOENIX (KGUN9-TV) - Could Colorado soon be headed down the same road to an immigration crackdown as Arizona? It will if outspoken illegal immigration foe State Senator Russell Pearce (R-Mesa) has anything to say about it.

On Wednesday Pearce and others met with a group of GOP state lawmakers from Colorado. The legislators say they plan introduce an immigration law that mirrors Arizona's SB 1070, even though the constitutionality of the law is still in question.

On Wednesday afternoon the Republican Study Committee of Colorado issued a press release about the visit. The statement quoted Colorado State Senator Dave Schultheis as saying, "I am very encouraged by the strong stand that Arizona lawmakers have taken to counter the negative effects of illegal immigration. As Arizona takes steps to protect its border, so too must Colorado legislators act to protect Colorado's border from the continued influx of illegal aliens into our state. "

In the statement, Schultheis noted that undocumented immigrants are moving from Arizona to Colorado. Schultheis said, "The cost to Colorado taxpayers is estimated to exceed $1.4 billion/year and this number will grow dramatically if the Colorado legislature continues to ignore this critical issue."

Arizona GOP lawmakers rolled out the red carpet for their Colorado colleagues, beginning with a full day of meetings. A sampling of session titles includes, "Briefing of legislative history concerning illegal immigration;" "Fiscal and social impact of illegal immigration;" "Legal challenges to AZ SB 1070 and other IA laws, birthright citizenship."

Some of those in the visiting group also plan a tour of Arizona's border.

Last month Federal Judge Susan Bolton issued a preliminary injunction pulling most of SB 1070's teeth, pending a full trial. Pearce told the Colorado lawmakers that he's confident that Bolton's ruling will not stand.

Last week immigration reform advocates in Florida announced their intention to pursue an SB 1070 style law. Backers of the Florida proposal vowed they'll avoid some of Arizona's mistakes, and write a law that can pass Constitutional muster.

KGUN9's Steve Nuñez is in Phoenix. Watch for updates on KGUN9 News and KGUN9.com.

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