Immigrant employer bill wins CO House approval

By The AP
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

DENVER — Colorado’s Republican-controlled House has advanced an immigration bill that would fine employers who fail to show proof their workers are in the country legally.

The measure approved Tuesday faces long odds in the Democratic Senate, which has rejected a series of GOP immigration crackdowns already.

The Republican sponsor of the bill removed portions of the bill that would have criminalized anyone knowing about illegal immigrants and not reporting them. But Democrats still questioned whether the employer immigration bill was necessary.

The remaining portion of the bill allows employers to be fined up to $25,000 for not ensuring their workers are legal. The measure faces a more-formal vote in the House before heading to the Senate.

Online:
House Bill 1309: http://goo.gl/2xR7P