Posted on 08/09/2010 11:13:30 AM PDT by markomalley
Colorado pays illegal immigrants unemployment insurance because a director at the state agency that cuts the checks eliminated a key tool designed to prevent payments from going to unqualified residents.
As a result the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) regularly makes unemployment insurance payments to illegal aliens and other citizens who don’t qualify for the taxpayer-funded benefit. The story was made public after an investigative news organization obtained internal electronic mail showing that a high-ranking official ordered the agency to stop using a software control implemented to screen applicants’ immigration status.
The CDLE’s unemployment director (Mike Cullen) actually issued an official work order in early 2009 to shut the system down. The order, which was given “top priority,” forced the agency’s information technology department to reset the software so that it stopped questioning the immigration status of applicants.
Since the change was implemented, any residency or citizenship related questions routinely asked of those filing for unemployment benefits have been ignored by the computer system. The move violates a 2006 state law that mandates that certain government benefits—including unemployment insurance—be denied to illegal immigrants.
A few days after the story hit the internet, the head of the CDLE said that state lawmakers were actually notified earlier this year that the department shut down the immigration screening tool because it was causing a backlog. With a record number of unemployment claims, the screening tool was “holding everything up,” according to the agency’s director.
It appears that many at the agency knew they were violating state law. In fact, some CDLE employees questioned the legality of suspending the program in emails obtained by the reporter who broke the story. One flat out asked “is this legal?” Another admitted that not screening for immigration status would “disable” the state law that specifically requires it. Several lawmakers have demanded an investigation.
wow. Nothing surprises me anymore.
They knew damn well what they were doing, vote getting.
It gets better. The Cullen person has since left state government and now works for a private firm that — get this — has contracts with the state to make sure the the unemployment benefits are only paid to those who qualify for them. He recently testified before the Senate Finance Committee. Interesting that a state agency head can just SUSPEND THE LAW because he thinks it is inconvenient. See also:
http://investigates.i2i.org/2010/08/05/documents-reveal-potential-widespread-fraud-at-department-of-labor/
Tancredo's run for Governor of Colorado has been called a divisive long shot which will allow Hickenlooper to win.
Under normal circumstances, I'd probably agree.
Something like this could very well change the equation. Depends on how well Tancredo can push it. Certainly makes his case.
Stick a fork in common sense....its done.
Damn....
Apparently America wants to die.
I don’t know how much it will help Tancredo, but Hickenblooper can definitely be tarred and feathered with it.
Has the Denver Compost ran this story? Nothing has hit the papers down in El Paso county yet...well I always post a link to the story in the comment section whenever the Colorado Springs Gazette runs a thinly veiled “we love hick” story or a “we hate conservatives” story
America has been slowly dying for about 50 years now. The country has gone into a terminal phase since about 1990.
The question is, how long will it take, and how violent will the death be? I don’t think America will die peacefully in her bed while asleep.
I think we are going to get mugged, on a national, geopolitical scale. I.E., we are reaching a point in terms of cultural, economic, and national defense weakness where the countries that can truly annihilate the USA, Russia and China, may be soreley tempted to go for the quick draw.
.
Help Texas watch her borders.
Watch live on 14 cameras and report illegal alien invaders.
Night cams in operation
http://www.blueservo.net/index.php?error=nlg
Does it work? Yes.
Best time to catch them is at night.
Recently caught on cam and reported:
String of illegals running through brush with backpacks
Numerous sightings of boats crossing the river
Numerous vehicles late at night in isolated areas
IMMENSELY satisfying
.
I wouldn’t think that they will be paying taxes on this income.
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