Thread: Informal Hearing On Illegal Immigration Begins

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By Steven K. Paulson, AP Writer
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(AP) DENVER Republicans seeking a crackdown on illegal immigrants convened an informal hearing Wednesday, urging lawmakers to stop what they call a "silent invasion" of the United States.

Former Senate President John Andrews, who now heads a conservative think tank, said the issue is not whether the country should welcome immigrants, but how. He said immigrants who follow the law are welcome.

"We draw a line between them and others who seek to enter in violation of our laws," Andrews said.

Rep. Dave Schultheis, who called for the daylong hearing after taking a trip to Arizona in October to meet with the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps -- private citizens who patrol the border -- said lawmakers need to know more about immigration. He said it will be a major issue when the Legislature convenes in January and in next year's elections.

"This is a huge issue with people," said Schultheis.

Karen Roubal of Fort Collins, one of dozens who attended the meeting, said lawmakers need to find ways to round up and deport illegal immigrants and seal the nation's borders.

"We're overwhelmed with illegal immigrants, who are undocumented, unaccounted for, taxing our Social Security system and closing hospitals. This isn't going to be a quick fix," she said.

The meeting was set up by the Republican Study Committee of Colorado, formed earlier this year and modeled after the powerful Republican Study Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Its goal is helping Republican politicians in state government focus on such issues as lower taxes, personal responsibility and limited government.

Madeleine Cosman told lawmakers at the meeting that illegal immigrants often have "disgusting" diseases and strain the nation's health care system. She said flesh-eating viruses were rare until the number of immigrants surged.

Cosman said illegal immigrants are giving birth to children who are immediately entitled to benefits. She said those children are "anchor babies," used to gain citizenship for other members of the family.

"I'm not the only one who maintains that anchor babies are in essence an abomination," she said.

Rachel Olivarez-Sellers of the Colorado Democratic Latino Initiative said she was disturbed by some of the statements.

"I was born in the United States. I'm an abomination?" she asked during a break.

Mark Krikorian, director of the Center for Immigration Studies, said the United States faces the possibility of riots similar to the ones that swept France this month if it tries to expand the number of immigrant workers, as some members of Congress have proposed.

"Permanent amnesty could put us at risk," he said.

Manolo Gonzalez-Estay, who formed a group to campaign against proposal on next year's ballot that would restrict services to illegal immigrants, said the meeting was "eye-opening."

He said the meeting raises questions about whether immigrants can get police protection and medical care.

"I think there will be an important discussion on both sides of the debate," he said.

If the purpose that someone is born at a particular time or in a particular place is in order to get public benefits from the American taxpayers the answer Rachel Olivarez-Sellers is yes.