Colorado Immigration Lawsuit Act, Referendum K (2006)

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Contents

Colorado Immigration Lawsuit Act, Referendum K appeared on the November 2006 ballot in Colorado as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, where it was approved.

  • Yes: 830,628 (56%) Approved
  • No: 660,012 (44%)

Ballot wording

The official ballot question read:

Shall the Colorado state attorney general initiate or join other states in a lawsuit against the United States attorney general to demand the enforcement of all existing federal immigration laws by the federal government?

Supporters

Defend Colorado Now was the group supporting this measure. Supporters argued that a lawsuit makes it explicitly clear that states want the federal government to take action to enforce federal immigration laws. An independent research group estimated that last year Colorado spent $225 million on K-12 education, emergency medical care, and incarceration of illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants also benefit from other state services provided to all residents of the state regardless of immigration status, such as public health assistance and child welfare services. The lawsuit required by Referendum K is, supporters said, an important step in reducing costs incurred by the state in dealing with illegal immigrants.[1]

Opponents

Opponents argued that requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government for enforcement of immigration laws could waste state tax dollars and the attorney general's time. The federal government has exclusive authority to determine which immigrants may enter the U.S. and to remove those who are here illegally. Other states' attempts to make the federal government enforce immigration laws indicate that Colorado's effort will likely fail, they added.[1]

Campaign finance

Donors for the campaign for the measure:[2]

  • Defend Colorado Now: $179,133
  • Total: $179,133

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 2006 Colorado Blue Book
  2. ↑ Follow the Money, "Donors"
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