Mexicans In Colorado Urged To Report Crimes
DENVER (AP) - State and federal officials signed an agreement with the Mexican consulate in Colorado aimed at encouraging immigrants to report crimes regardless of whether they're in the country legally.
The memorandum of understanding signed Monday by state Attorney General John Suthers, Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh, and Mexican Consul General Carlos Bello commits the three parties to build trust among Mexican immigrants living in Colorado. It doesn't change or add to existing legal protections for immigrants to report crimes.
Instead, officials say it will boost educational efforts at each of the offices to make sure Mexican immigrants know they can come to authorities without fear of deportation if they are victims of a crime. Suthers says those educational efforts will also involve training for peace officers, which his office oversees.
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