I do not care what any website or news media outlet says, Weld County is not a sanctuary county. Just in case I was unclear,

Weld County is not a sanctuary county.

It’s amazing the misinformation that floats around social media. No action ever taken by the Board of County Commissioners I serve on or any board before me has made Weld County a sanctuary county. However, please remember jurisdictions. Weld has 32 municipalities. Any one of those municipalities can declare themselves a sanctuary.

And then there’s the rocket scientists in the Colorado State legislature…

Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are advocating for a new state-funded support system to aid recent migrants. The proposed bill, currently awaiting debate on the House floor, would distribute $2.5M through a new grant program to established local organizations. These organizations would then provide assistance in job hunting, housing, healthcare, education and legal matters to migrants who have resided in the US for less than a year. Critics, however, fear this may incentivize increased migration to Colorado and argue that integrating migrants into the workforce should be the priority.

A summary of THIS ARTICLE

I realize we have a real humanitarian issue and the people now flooding our streets, here illegally or otherwise, are human beings and deserve dignity and respect. Pray for them. But you should not have to pay for them.

This is an issue we would not have if the federal government would do it’s damn job, secure our borders and fix the immigration system. But there is grift in the ambiguity and no campaign dollars are ever raised when a problem is fixed.

Send a loud message to the Colorado State legislature – tax payer dollars should be spent on Colorado citizens. Not those who broke the law to get here. Stop rewarding bad behavior.

You have my absolute promise as a County Commissioner – no monies under the authority you grant me will be spent rewarding those who break the law the second they step foot in this country. Period.

The bad bill mentioned here is HB24-1280 Welcome, Reception and Integration Grant Program. The sponsors are Rep. Lorena Garcia, Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, and Sen. Rhonda Fields. Senator Fields is currently running to be an Arapahoe County Commissioner. At this writing, the bill passed out of house committee (on party lines, of course) and is currently sitting in Appropriations. It will next move to the house floor, then to senate committee.

Let your State Reps know what a bad idea this is and highly suggest voting against it. Why are they using your money to reward bad behavior?

About the author

Scott James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.