The immigration debate in Denver currently involves Secure Communities, a federal program through which fingerprints of people arrested and jailed locally are checked against a national illegal immigrant database. Colorado joined the federal program in January. Critics say the program misuses local resources, promotes racial profiling, and turns local police officers into immigration enforcement agents.
The following insights into how each candidate stands regarding the Secure Communities program are gathered from comments either made at two recent campaign events or published on-line or in printed campaign materials. Candidate names are listed in the order in which they appear on the ballot.
Michael Hancock
Bottom line:
States Denver police should not be required to do a job that the federal government is required to do but supports the Secure Communities program.
On his campaign website:
Under “Restoring Public Trust in Denver’s Public Safety Agencies,” Hancock states he supports the federal government’s Secure Communities program, which he notes will be mandatory in all states within two years. He adds that as mayor he will ensure the program “is administered in a fair and just manner, targets violent criminals, and does not contribute to racial and ethnic profiling.”
In his campaign flyer:
No mention of Secure Communities
Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
No mention of Secure Communities
Issue-related comments:
In a recent Channel7 interview, Hancock was quoted as saying he does not consider Denver to be a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants. He added that city police should not be required to do a job that “the federal government is required to do.”
Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• City Councilman 2003-Present
--President 2006-2008
Chris Romer
Bottom line:
As mayor, Romer will “reject the implementation of the Secure Communities program in Denver as currently mandated with the singular exception of those undocumented residents that have a felony conviction.”
On his campaign website:
The Romer site links to a Secure Communities pledge that states “As a matter of health, safety and to avoid racial profiling and human rights abuses in Denver we, the 2011 mayoral candidates, commit that we will reject the implementation of the Secure Communities program in Denver as currently mandated with the singular exception of those undocumented residents that have a felony conviction.” The Romer campaign says Michael Hancock refuses to sign this pledge.
In his campaign flyer:
No mention of Secure Communities
Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
No mention of Secure Communities
Issue-related comments:
In a recent Channel7 interview, Romer was quoted as saying Denver is not a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants. He added that as mayor he will ask the federal government to fix the immigration system and ensure that any undocumented felons are deported.
In the May 16 DenverDaily News article Mayoral candidates talk illegal immigration, a Romer spokesperson was quoted as saying Romer believes the Secure Communities program needs “guard rails” so it only deports felons.
Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• Senator 2007-2010