Shadow Hearing: Denver

AFSC Denver Shadow Hearing Brings Immigrant Voices to Public Light: Coloradans Speak Truth to Power

Gabriela Flora speaks to CBS News. Click here for full story. Photo Credit: CBS News, Denver CO

On August 29, 2006 a day before a scheduled Congressional immigration field hearing, AFSC’s Denver office and several local partners held an alternative shadow hearing that unlike the anticipated Congressional hearing, included the public testimonies of immigrants, faith groups and organizations advocating for fair immigration policies and just legislative measures. The testimonies were presented before a panel of distinguished civic leaders that included: State Representative Terrence Carroll (Chair of House Judiciary Committee); Polly Baca (Chief Executive Officer of LARASA) ; Tony Mulligan (Board Member, Jobs with Justice) Fidel “Butch” Montoya (former manager, Public Safety for the City of Denver); and Miguel de la Torre (Director, Justice and Peace Institute at Iliff School of Theology).

The August 30th hearing convened by Senator Wayne Allard of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee included only the perspectives of national and local leaders who focused on the costs of immigrants; however, despite press statements and announcements that the hearing would be open to the public, the hearing did not include or invite the perspectives of immigrants or institutions familiar with the daily needs, concerns and contributions of immigrant communities. Furthermore, no other member of the Senate Committee was present at the hearing.

The AFSC testimony proposes specific policy recommendations and solutions that are sustainable and concrete, and can lead to immigration policies and legislative remedies that are fair, humane and embody our nation’s welcoming spirit and democratic principles.