Colorado Representatives Meet with Arizona Lawmakers

On Tuesday, Colorado Republicans met with lawmakers in Arizona to discuss that state’s new, controversial immigration enforcement law, and to get pointers on how to implement a similar law in Colorado. As reported by the San Francisco Examiner, Colorado representative Kent Lambert indicated that he and the other representatives wanted to present similar legislation in the state of Colorado because "We have sort of the backfield problems with employment, jobs, and unemployment and picking up the costs of health care and things like that which seem to fall upon the state of Colorado." Rep. Lambert is one of 11 members of Colorado's Republican Study Committee who are meeting with Arizona legislators this week. Colorado joins Tennessee and Utah in having sent a delegation to Arizona to discuss the new law.

In fact, undocumented immigrants have been found by economists to have little to no negative impact on employment, job availability, or wages, and many pay taxes. Additionally, the presence of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, actually boosts local economies and creates jobs, as immigrant families spend their incomes on American goods ranging from cars to groceries.

A law like Arizona’s is not the answer to the U.S.’s economic concerns, as it does nothing to address job creation or a path to legalization for undocumented workers, but instead encourages fear and invites discrimination. Let’s hope that it’s all talk and no action.



Read more at the San Francisco Examiner, National Public Radio, and the ACLU websites: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/colorado-gop-wants-immigration-law-like-arizonas-100909199.html#ixzz0wypMEMg2

http://www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/immigrants-and-economy

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5312900

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