Thread: Lawmaker wants schools to keep track of illegal immigrants

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Lawmaker wants schools to keep track of illegal immigrants
Nelson Garcia Reporter

Created: 1/11/2006 4:50 PM MST - Updated: 1/12/2006 7:11 AM MST



DENVER - State Representative Jim Welker, R-Loveland, introduced a bill on the first day of session that, if passed, would force schools to ask all students when they register for school if they are legal U.S. citizens.

Students could prove their citizenship by showing a birth certificate or social security card. They would not be required to answer, but the lawmaker says this would give an accurate look at the illegal immigrant problem.

"It's basically a tracking mechanism so we can get information on reporting the cost to our public schools," Representative Welker says. "You call a school system and they don't know. They have no way to track it. Well, you don't run a business that way."

Opponents say you can't run a school that way. Jim Chavez is the executive director of the Latin American Educational Foundation. Chavez says schools have better things to be concerned about.

"What we should be concerned about is educating all of our students to the greatest degree possible," he says. "That's what's gonna benefit not only our students, but it's gonna benefit the state of Colorado and our country."

Chavez also worries that, if passed, immigrant families might be intimidated from sending their kids to school. "I'm discouraged to see any efforts or initiatives that would hamper or squelch a young student's enthusiasm for school," Chavez says. "Or worse yet, create a fear factor for a student and their families."

"For us to ask them a question about citizenship before going to school, that's not gonna stop them from going," says Representative Welker. He says illegal immigrants have faced many obstacles already and knowing it's against the law did not stop them from coming to America. The lawmaker says this bill is needed so the state can provide evidence to Congress that the illegal immigrant problem is costly.

"We're having an invasion of our country," he says. "Our federal government has been letting us down on the protection of our border."

This Saturday, we'll air a one-hour special on the immigration debate based on a town hall meeting hosted by 9News last weekend. Hear what politicians and community activists on both sides have to say about creating an immigration policy for the future. "Immigration: Bordering on Reform" airs Saturday night at 6 and again on Sat. Jan. 21st at 7.

Thank God. GO DENVER and GO COLORADO!!

Absolutely illegal alien children should be accounted for. That way we can be sure their parents don't leave with them when we deport them.