Colo. Dems kill 2nd Arizona-style immigration bill

By The AP
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

DENVER — Colorado Democrats have killed a Republican proposal that would have allowed law enforcement to arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally.

The failure of Senate Bill 54 today is the second blow this week to a Republican agenda to mimic Arizona’s divisive illegal immigration crackdown. Sponsor Sen. Kent Lambert argued his bill would simply give law enforcement the authority to enforce current laws and he disagreed with the criticism that his proposal would trigger racial profiling.

The State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee killed Lambert’s bill on a 3-2 party-line vote.

A House Bill that would also give law enforcement the power to arrest illegal immigrants and required them to carry their legal documents was shelved Monday by its Republican sponsor out of concern over possible legal challenges.