Using reasonable estimates of the number of undocumented immigrants and budget data published by the state, we estimate the total costs of providing federally mandated government services to undocumented immigrants in Colorado is nearly $225 million per year.
A Boulder Daily Camera article outlining how the first casualty of war may be truth, but when it comes to fiscal battles, the first casualties of Colorado's new state budget are women and children.
The state government must examine the complexities of work support programs and create a comprehensive system that increases eligibility limits and phases benefits out gradually to avoid steep financial cliffs for working families.
Articles: CO Receives Low Marks for Child Welfare, US Schools Still Segregated, Bill to Create CO High School Commission goes to Gov., Two New Reports on Self-Sufficiency in CO
Newspapers around the state report on the Bell Policy Center's 2006 issue briefs, "State and local taxes paid in Colorado by undocumented immigrants" and "Costs of federally mandated services to undocumented immigrants in Colorado."
Bell Policy Center President Wade Buchanan says a proposed ballot initiative that would bar undocumented immigrants from receiving government services fails to solve any real problems.
