DENVER – On Monday, the delegation of the Colorado Democratic National Committee sent a letter to the president of the state party calling for “public censorship” to US Senator John Hickenlooper.
On Thursday, the senator voted in favor of a non-binding amendment that would prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving stimulus payments.
The non-binding nature of the amendment means that it is unlikely to have any impact on future stimulus plans: federal law prevents undocumented immigrants from receiving stimulus payments because they do not have social security numbers.
Joseph Salazar, a former state representative and member of the DNC said, non-binding or not, the vote sent the wrong message.
“We never thought he would go this far because this amendment went so far and deeply on a xenophobic road,” said Salazar. “You don’t throw communities under a bus to try to get favors from well-known xenophobic and racist senators. You don’t demand their preference and you throw communities under a bus ”.
The non-binding amendment was passed by 58 to 42, with eight Democrats joining the Republicans.
The ACLU chapter in Colorado released a letter with 300 signatures saying that Hickenlooper’s non-binding vote sent the message: “I only care about you when I’m campaigning.”
“It was a vote against immigrants,” said Denise Maes, director of public policy at ACLU Colorado.
Hickenlooper met virtually with leaders of the immigrant community to discuss his vote. Maes said that after the meeting, she still wasn’t sure why Hickenlooper voted the way she did.
“I think the non-binding nature of this was intriguing, like why? Why take the side of an anti-immigration initiative if it meant nothing?” Said Maes. “I think we are still disappointed with the vote and would like to inform the senator that we would be looking forward to his future votes.”
Maes said Hickenlooper seemed receptive to their comments and concerns.
Colorado Jobs with Justice was one of 300 defenders of immigrants who signed the ACLU Colorado letter. The coalition defends workers’ rights, according to executive director Pamela Resendiz.
“This vote seemed like an easy decision for him without taking into account the stories of the voters he represents,” said Resendiz.
A Hickenlooper spokesman emphasized that the senator remains committed to the comprehensive immigration form. The following statement was provided:
“Immigrant communities and undocumented workers are specifically at the forefront of our economy – now more than ever. I recognize how this vote distorted that important fact and fed dangerous and harmful narratives about the undocumented community. We have had several productive conversations about this and I remain committed to working together to finally achieve a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system, including a path to citizenship. ”
– Senator John Hickenlooper
Sen. John Hickenlooper
Denver7 contacted the Colorado Democratic Party for comment and received no response.