Immigration forum elicits mixed views

Sandy Ross held Charlotte Shetler's hand as she watched her story projected on the screen for almost 500 people to view. Ross, a former Fort Lupton resident, and her 4-year-old son were severely injured in an accident caused by an illegal immigrant.

Ross said her story isn't about race; her adopted son is Latino. And it's not about an accident, either. "It's was negligence every step of the way," she said, referring to Armando Rodriguez Romero being in the United States and on the roads after six drunk driving convictions.

"This is not somebody trying to make a living, just being here and doing the best that he can," she said.

People packed the 4H building at Island Grove Regional Park Tuesday to hear these stories and statistics on crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Weld County. While emphasizing that the majority of crimes in the county do not involve illegal immigrants, Buck said the forum was to focus on deporting those who have committed crimes and to convince the community that the already-promised Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office is needed in Weld County.

Sheriff John Cooke supported Buck's assertion, calling for more resources to address the impacts of illegal immigration. "In my opinion the system is broke. And because the system is broke it has an effect on law enforcement and corrections," he said.

Cooke said that neither deputies nor police officers can arrest an illegal alien because of residency. The ICE officer who has assisted at the local jail since July has been a great asset, he said. Agents assist the jail in interviewing inmates and investigating crimes, including identity theft, Cooke said. "A partnership with ICE will provide Weld County with additional resources and tools to better protect the entire county," Cooke said.

But some in the audience felt that focusing on crimes by illegal immigrants was biased. Carmen Cisneros of Loveland sympathized with those who told their stories because she also is a victim. Cisneros said a man raped her, an American citizen, who was never brought to justice. "All illegals aren't Hispanic and they aren't the only ones doing crimes," she said.

But others said the forum was fact-based and very informative.

"I think it was much needed," said George Townsend of Greeley. "I think people need to see that laws need to be enforced and that we have good law enforcement in Greeley."

With a Realizing Our Community meeting to bridge cultural gaps going on just down the street, Juan Valdez of Greeley said the timing of the immigration forum was unfortunate. "It's creating division in our community. It's a shame that Ken Buck, who represents our community, creates fear and uses that, I think, for his political future," he said.

Bob Hartzell, a Leadville resident who owns property in Greeley, said he just wanted to hear more answers to illegal immigration's impacts.

"I think it focused a lot on problems and didn't focus a lot on solutions," he said. "What can the community and ordinary citizens do?"