TEXT OF RESOLUTION

Resolution in Opposition to the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative"

WHEREAS, the Colorado Democratic Party is proud of its long and distinguished tradition of protecting the civil rights and liberties of the residents of Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Democrats believe that all people are created equal and it is imperative that our laws fully protect the equality of every individual residing under the jurisdiction of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party has long affirmed the importance of immigration to our nation's history and the continuing importance of immigrants to our nation's economic and social vitality; and

WHEREAS, on October 27, 2005, there was submitted to the Colorado Legislative Council a proposed Colorado Constitutional Amendment for the 2005-2006 Initiative cycle, #55 Restrictions on Government Services to Illegal Immigrants, hereinafter identified as the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative"; and

WHEREAS, this proposed Constitutional Amendment identified herein as the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would restrict the provision of non-emergency services by the State and local governments to United States citizens and aliens lawfully present in the United States, except as mandated by federal law; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would require the state to implement new procedures at all state and local agencies to verify citizenship and immigration status at a huge cost to the state; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would discourage citizens and residents alike from seeking immunizations and treatment for diseases, increasing Colorado's risk for epidemics and costing much more than preventative health care; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would require doctors and nurses to waste precious time demanding birth certificates and passports instead of providing medical attention, and would create an atmosphere of intimidation where Coloradans are afraid to get help and where health care workers have to risk their jobs and freedom to give care; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would undermine public health and safety by causing residents to be fearful to call 911 for an ambulance, call for help in domestic violence situations, come forward for the safety and protection of our communities, because they would fear the required checks of their citizenship or immigration status; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" could apply to any public service or benefit provided by any state and local agency in Colorado, and would burden all state and local employees with immigration enforcement, including university staff, public school teachers, firefighters, doctors, nurses and librarians; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would make systematic racial profiling official policy in Colorado and would make it more likely that Latinas/os and other people of color will be questioned about their immigration status in Colorado's schools, hospitals, libraries, government offices, and universities; and

WHEREAS, if passed, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would create a climate of fear and suspicion in which everyone is routinely questioned about their citizenship status, would be required to carry a birth certificate or passport or evidence of legal immigration status around to do daily business and errands, and would be required to provide personal information to numerous government agencies on a frequent basis, in violation of their right to privacy; and

WHEREAS, mass racial profiling and unfair denial of benefits to citizens resulting from the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" could perpetuate many costly lawsuits, clogging the state's legal system; and

WHEREAS, the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" would give individuals the right to sue the State of Colorado if they believe public employees are violating the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative", representing an extremely costly proposition for Colorado taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, the Latino Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party believes that enforcement of immigration laws should be the responsibility of the federal government and immigration reform the responsibility of Congress and not of each individual State; and

WHEREAS, the Latino Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party encourages the Colorado General Assembly to allow immigration reform to remain in the hands of Congress; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Colorado Democratic Party strongly opposes the "Colorado Anti-Immigrant Initiative" with its proposed Constitutional Amendment; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Colorado Democratic Party supports allowing immigration reform to remain in the hands of Congress and not in the Colorado General Assembly.

Accepted: December 10, 2005