Federal immigration authorities snubbed Republican Rep. Bob Beauprez’s town-hall meetings Thursday in Lakewood and Aurora on illegal immigration.
Their refusal to appear frustrated Beauprez, who is running for governor against Democrat Bill Ritter, as he attempted to score political points during a heated election season.
The decision not to attend came from officials in Washington, Beauprez said.
“I must say, as a member of Congress, it’s something that absolutely infuriates me,” Beauprez said.
The meetings – coinciding during the summer break when congressional leaders plan hearings across the country – offered constituents a chance to vent their anger about illegal immigration.
In Aurora, Shirley Ortega Beamer urged Beauprez to work for legal changes that would revoke the identification documents of illegal immigrants before they are deported.
“We have got to take the political backbone to say we will implement a shoot-to-kill order,” Beamer said, prompting cheers from the crowd of about 100 people gathered in the Aurora City Council chamber.
Cliff Frye, an 82-year-old Arvada resident, pounded the lectern Thursday morning, demanding that Beauprez, Congress and President Bush do something to fix the nation’s immigration woes before the United States becomes “United Mexico.”
The constituents weren’t the only ones complaining during the meetings.
Beauprez used the meetings to call the influx of illegal immigrants an “invasion.” He also criticized the U.S. Senate’s immigration proposal as an “amnesty” plan.
Beauprez staffers attempted to draw a line between the event and Beauprez’s gubernatorial campaign. They handed out notices calling the meetings “a strictly congressional event.”
The Lakewood and Aurora mayors also notified the audience to refrain from comments or questions about the governor’s race.
Staff writer Mark P. Couch can be reached at 303-820-1794 or mcouch@denverpost.com.
