State GOP hosts hearing about illegal immigration

Greeley residents Joy Breuer and Joan Cox told a group of Republican lawmakers at the State Capitol on Wednesday that Mexican illegal immigrants are gearing up to seize control of Greeley.

"We do not have much time before it's taken over and when it's taken over, we are going to be in trouble," said Breuer, a counselor who has the Greeley for God ministry in Greeley. "They are so brave in Greeley ... I don't think Greeley will be anything but a Mexican town within five years if we don't do anything. And an illegal town, too."

Cox and Breuer, speaking at an informal hearing on illegal immigration organized by the Republican Study Committee of Colorado, painted a picture of a volatile situation in Greeley.

They said they felt intimidated at Tuesday's city council meeting by Latinos Unidos and described the scene as a "mob mentality." Breuer said the illegal immigrants are becoming a gang in themselves and will cause "bloody warfare" if Anglos stand up. Cox added that medical offices in Greeley answer the phones in Spanish or "Mexican."

"We believe that we, in our own way, are dealing with reverse discrimination," said Cox, who has a cleaning business in Greeley.

The study committee, a group of Colorado GOP lawmakers, invited Breuer and Cox to speak at a hearing that also featured testimony from representatives of immigration-reform think tanks and politicians such as former Gov. Dick Lamm.

Doug Forsman, the acting Greeley police chief who attended the city council meeting Tuesday night, didn't agree with the "mob mentality" description.

"There were a lot of people there who were passionate about that issue, and they all behaved very well," Forsman said.

Jon Bach, a member of the Hispanic Leadership Council, said the comments made by Breuer and Cox foster segregation.

"As far as I'm concerned, all of those comments are ridiculous and unfounded," Bach said. "People like that should do a little more homework before they start barking at the wind."

Testimonies at the hearing centered on ways the state lawmakers can stop the negative impacts of illegal immigration in Colorado.

Madeline Cosman, a medical lawyer, said illegal immigrants often have "disgusting" diseases, and flesh-eating viruses were rare until the number of immigrants surged.

Lamm told the committee that the impact of illegal immigrants on state schools and the health care system far outweighs the benefit to the work force.

He urged the group to enact laws that would force people to show proof of U.S. citizenship to get a job, open a bank account and travel by plane.

"Colorado has to understand that this isn't cheap labor. It's subsidized labor," Lamm said.

Rep. Jim Welker, R-Loveland, a member of the committee, said the group is acting on behalf of Americans who want to see federal and state legislation stop the flow of illegal immigration. The group cited studies that show 85 percent of Americans want immigration reform.

Breuer and Cox spoke for more than 30 minutes, mostly about the recent meetings in Greeley. At one point, the chairman of the committee, Rep. Dave Schulteis, R-Colorado Springs, stopped Cox and told her to be careful about making the illegal immigration issue racial.

Breuer said illegal immigrants are proud to say they're illegal in Greeley. Finally, she asked for help. "I'm imploring you people, if some laws aren't brought forth, Greeley is going down the tubes."