Overview:
Follow along with our live election night coverage centered on the results on Amendment 81.
This amendment centers on law enforcement communication with federal immigration authorities. If passed, this amendment would require peace officers employed by a law enforcement agency, correctional officers and district attorney personnel to notify the Department of Homeland Security within 72 hours of a criminal charge if the defendant is not lawfully residing in the U.S.
One argument for this amendment is that violent individuals who reside in the U.S. without lawful allowance should be reported. One argument against this amendment is that it undermines due process, which is the 5th amendment of the United States.
Gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser says on the subject, “I’m a ‘no’ on this one because of the reality right now of how ICE is operating … they’re taking people out of the criminal justice system, not giving victims their full rights, and not respecting our criminal justice system.” While Kristi Burton Brown, executive vice president of Advance Colorado, states that, “This really isn’t a controversial issue when you narrow in on violent criminals and repeat felons and say it’s pretty common sense that no one wants them free on our streets.”
If this amendment is passed, this would mark a major shift from Colorado’s existing laws, which strictly limit local police and sheriffs from participating in civil immigration enforcement.
