By Shaun Boyd | CBS News Colorado
A bill aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants in Colorado has created a firestorm at the Colorado State Capitol. Supporters say it’s about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone regardless of citizenship. Opponents, including Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, say it would protect dangerous criminals.
He says if the bill becomes law, his deputies will have to choose between enforcing state law and losing federal funding or enforcing federal law and facing thousands of dollars in fines.
Mikesell says lawmakers are presenting a false narrative.
“I want to dispel rumors and myths that really the legislators are presenting in testimony,” he said.
He says he has worked with federal immigration agents for nearly three decades and has never seen them go into schools or target children. Instead, he says they go after the worst criminals and he says under Senate Bill 276 his deputies could no longer help them.
“If we have a known terrorist or known cartel member, am I not to give that information anymore to our federal partners? Are we to allow them to continue to prey on innocent people here in Colorado?” Mikesell said.
State Rep. Elizabeth Velasco — one of the bill sponsors — says local authorities could still cooperate if immigration agents have a warrant.
“We’re just elevating that constitutional rights of everyone must be respected,” Velasco said.