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Illegal immigration linked to crime, drugs
Jim Welker


As Loveland's state representative, I deal with big problems on a daily basis. Sometimes we make headway, and that is heartening.

For example, many people in our state have been devastated by the crime of identity theft. I am carrying House Bill 1156, which proposes several measures to protect our Social Security numbers from illegal use. This bill passed out of the House by a 64-1 vote and is now in the Senate.

Meth and drug use are serious problems, and I've worked hard to understand them. I was recently recognized on the House floor for receiving the highest score on their Methamphetamine Awareness Survey.

I strongly support legislation that will help keep the supplies of meth ingredients out of the hands of those who want to create and distribute drugs. About 80 percent of the 22,000 felons in our state prisons committed their crimes while on drugs or alcohol.

The Weld County district attorney, Ken Buck, told me recently that 95 percent of the meth comes up out of Mexico. Denver is a hub of drug traffic. Meth and drug use are rampant in Colorado schools.

I support legislation that will help stem the massive amount of illegal aliens coming across our southern border - and the crime that often comes with it. In only one week, as many people come across our southern border as live in Loveland!

Republican legislators recently proposed common-sense measures to address this problem. We must learn how many illegal immigrants reside in this state, and at what cost to Colorado taxpayers. My bill, House Bill 1062, would have allowed us to ask students for their citizenship status at the time of school enrollment. This was for informational purposes only; students would not have been denied services.

But Democrats killed that bill, along with five others. They are compromising the safety and well-being of the legal citizens they claim to serve. My Republican colleagues and I will continue to push this issue.

Please contact me about your needs and concerns: jim@welker.com (303) 866-2947, or Colorado State Capitol, 200 East Colfax Ave., Room 271, Denver, CO 80203.

Jim Welker of Loveland is the state representative for House District 51.


Originally published March 9, 2006