Watch CBS News

Colorado Bill To Report Illegal Immigrants Gets First OK

DENVER (AP) - Lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a bill requiring law enforcement to report to prosecutors a person they believe is in the country illegally, but only after the sponsor made big changes to his proposal.

The bill passed a House Committee Tuesday after Republican Rep. Mark Barker modified it to appease opponents who feared it would lead to discrimination.

Barker's proposal initially lowered the legal standard of "probable cause" to a standard of "reasonable grounds" when deciding bail or whether to report someone believed to be in the country illegally. The bill now uses the probable cause standard.

Barker also removed language requiring judges to consider a person's immigration status when setting bail.

House Bill 1088 would also make bail bond agents forfeit a bond if a client is deported. The full House now considers the bill.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.