Rights ordinance loses oomph - Impression of sanctuary may doom protection plan - Articles - CAIR

After nearly two years of study and the formation of a special task force, a proposed Fort Collins ordinance that bars discrimination based on immigration status still faces an uphill battle.

The main sticking point: Should local police be able to ask whether you're a legal resident? What if you've been pulled over at a traffic stop - or are doing nothing at all?

A majority of City Council cast doubt on the proposal Friday, saying the measure is unnecessary or would limit the effectiveness of law enforcement.

Councilman Diggs Brown was typical: "We don't need to pass another ordinance that's going to tie the hands of our police officers in any way, shape or form."

Councilman Kurt Kastein balked at the ordinance's first clause, a provision stating that the city strives to provide equal services "to all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity or immigration status."

"We are not striving to provide equal services to all people in our city if you include folks who are here illegally," he said.

Known as the Human Rights Protection Ordinance, the measure was introduced in 2003. Now at least nine drafts later, the measure is headed to City Council and is scheduled for a vote Oct. 4....

...Police Chief Dennis Harrison opposes the ordinance because he believes it "makes a crime out of police doing their job."

Councilwoman Karen Weitkunat agreed, adding, "To some extent, it is condoning illegal activity."

The proposal states that "no city employee shall inquire into the immigration status of any person," and gives exemptions in a handful of cases such as determining eligibility for government programs....

...some critics charge that sanctuary - or at least the impression of sanctuary - is exactly what the ordinance would provide.

Mayor Doug Hutchinson said public interest in the measure has been high - and overwhelmingly negative....