Colorado Democrats Advance Immigration Accountability Bills After National Protests

By: Colette Bordelon | Denver7

DENVER — On the heels of protests that erupted across the nation related to federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, Colorado Democrats announced legislation they contend will protect civil rights.

On Monday, Democratic lawmakers from both the State Senate and House of Representatives rallied alongside community members and stakeholders to unveil a new package of bills that are intertwined with immigration in America.

The new bills have not been introduced yet, but legislators said they will increase “accountability” and “transparency” through the enforcement of violations when personal information is unlawfully shared, require reporting on the demographics of immigration detention centers, and enact protections from deportation when an individual is traveling to or from places like a school or courthouse.

“We are addressing gaps and loopholes that have been existing, that are harming our communities. Like when people’s information is being requested with subpoenas and they don’t even know that this is happening. We want transparency. We want to make sure that people know that there’s a request for their information,” said State Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-District 57. “We also want to hold detention centers accountable when our community members don’t have access to water, food, or even comfortable temperatures — when it’s too hot or too cold. We’re also hearing of abuses of children, of women, of people in detention centers, and it is not allowed.”

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