In reaction to President Bush’s immigration plan to legalize as many as 8 million immigrants who work and live in the United States illegally, US Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) is putting together a Colorado state constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would bar people living in Colorado illegally from receiving state services. 

While Tancredo’s amendment would not ban undocumented immigrants from receiving emergency medical care or K-12 education, it would restrict non-emergency services of the state of Colorado except as mandated by federal law.

Critics say it would cost the state more money.  For example, if undocumented immigrants were unable to get regular medical exams they would probably go to the emergency room, which would cost more.  If the proposed amendment is passed, many questions would be raised such as what the consequences would be if someone gave services to an undocumented immigrant, how the law would be enforced and exactly what services would be exempted.

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HR3701: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the provisions governing nonimmigrant status for spouses and children of permanent resident aliens awaiting the availability of an immigrant visa, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] (introduced 1/20/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 1/20/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HR3727: A Private Bill for the relief of Maria Del Refugio Plascencia and Alfredo Plascencia-Lopez.
Sponsor: Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12] (introduced 1/21/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 1/21/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

S2010: A bill to strengthen national security and United States borders, reunify families, provide willing workers, and establish earned adjustment under the immigration laws of the United States.
Sponsor: Senator Hagel, Chuck [NE] (introduced 1/21/2004)      

Latest Major Action: 1/21/2004 Referred to Senate committee.

Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

For a review of all the immigration bills that have been recently introduced, visit our legislative chart at www.visalaw.com/advocacy.html.