YOUR AD HERE »

Human smuggling bill clears hurdle at Capitol

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER ” A proposal to crack down on “coyotes” who transport illegal immigrants for money in Colorado passed a key hurdle Monday as House and Senate negotiators approved a compromise version.

The proposal (Senate Bill 206) now goes back to both chambers for another vote as lawmakers wrap up the session, which formally ends on Wednesday.

Human smuggling is already a crime under federal law, but state law-enforcement agencies and immigration critics say federal authorities haven’t been tough enough on people who transport illegal immigrants in crowded vans and trucks.



The bill targets only smugglers who are paid by their passengers, not the passengers themselves or someone who simply gives an illegal immigrant a lift.

Sponsor Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, said he thinks it’s one of the few areas in illegal immigration where the state can act.



“It gives law enforcement a clear process they can take,” he said.

House and Senate negotiators made a minor change in the bill Monday to allow prosecution of smugglers in any one of the counties in which their passengers are found.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.

Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.