Denver's El Centro hiring hall for illegal aliens

Page 1

Also see:
Overview of Denver sanctuary policy.
Denver's illegal alien hiring hall (Dec, 2005). Protest (Jan, 2006).
Articles on sanctuary policy for illegals.
CAIR May 16 protest & news conference:
       pictures     news release
       statements by Lamm,   Tancredo
       letter to Mayor     letters to the editor.
Executive Order 116:
       Webb     article     legal opinion.
Denver Police policy.
Audio clips - Hickenlooper and others
 
Research:
Federal law requires full cooperation between localities and the INS (ICE).
Immigration Law Enforcement by Local Agencies
Sanctuary Cities and States -- Undermining the American Republic
Supreme Court Ruling Razes Artificial Fire Wall Between Local Law Enforcement and Immigration Enforcement
Role of State and Local Police In Immigration Law Enforcement
Non-Cooperation Policies

[See pictures and video below. Also see page 2 and page 3].

On December 2, 2005, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser burrito breakfast for El Centro Humanitario para los Trabajadores - Denver's hiring hall for illegal aliens. The event was to promote and fundraiser for El Centro's new Capital Campaign to improve "home away from home" for "immigrant day laborers".

The event was held at the Centro San Juan Diego Historic Site, 2830 Lawrence Street near downtown Denver (see map). On the outside of the building is a plaque dated October 17, 2005 thanking Mayor John Hickenlooper and the City and County of Denver for providing funding for exterior renovation.

El Centro was founded in 2002 and "is Denver's first day laborer organization that provides day laborers with a safe and dignified gathering place for them to seek employment and education."

Surprisingly, the Mayor found himself confronted by Colorado Minutemen and CAIR activists who questioned him on Denver's sanctuary city policy for illegal aliens. CAIR's director asked the Mayor point-blank if he would issue an executive order mandating that he update the Denver Police Manual to require full cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Predictably, the Mayor told CAIR's director and spokesperson that "there is no sanctuary policy in Denver." We beg to differ. Indeed, this prevarication has been exposed by Congressman Tancredo on CNN's Lou Dobbs news show:

Christine Romans: "We've heard from the Denver mayor's office as well that they do routinely turn over leads on trafficking to Immigration and Customs officials...."

Tom Tancredo: "At the very site that was identified in the Brian Mass report, at that restaurant, a policeman had been watching it for a long time - it was sort of on his beat... This policeman observed this going on, these vans pulling up... he reported this to ICE himself. Guess what happened to him? He got reprimanded by his superiors in the Denver Police Department. So don't let Denver give you this bunk."

View this 11-minute video of the confrontation, courtesy Colorado Minutemen. It includes introductions of city officials, parts of the Mayor's speech, confrontation of the Mayor by concerned citizens on Denver's sanctuary city policy. Don't miss the segment taken outside where American citizens are told that "You are a guest on this land. We will keep you as a guest until the day we want you out."

The outside discussion did converge at one point where both sides agreed on the tremendous damage done by NAFTA, CAFTA, and the ominously pendingFTAA. During this discussion, the Mayor snuck out the back door.

Mayor Hickenlooper speaks at the burrito breakfast.

Mayor Hickenlooper (on the left) is questioned on Denver's sanctuary city policy for illegal aliens by CAIR spokesperson Mike McGarry (on the right).

Some of the individuals who support El Centro.

Some of the individuals who support El Centro.

The Mayor answers pointed questions from CAIR.

Next: video and pictures of the actual illegal alien hiring hall.