Carlos Bello, the Mexico Consul General in Denver, says many crimes go unreported in immigrant communities.
“They don’t have to be afraid of it because the authority, now, backs them up," Bello says. "They will not go to [immigration offices] for that.”
Officials spent almost a year and a half working on the agreement. John Walsh, the U.S. Attorney for Colorado, says under the agreement, immigrants need to know they can report crimes without fear, even if they're in the country illegally.
“What it does is commit these three governments to work together to enforce the law and to make sure that the law is fully implemented to protect victims of crime of whatever nationality," Walsh says.
The Mexico Consul General says the next step is educating Mexican communities about their rights under U.S. and Colorado law.
The announcement does not change existing law, says Carolyn Tyler, spokeswoman for Colorado's Attorney General.
"All victims of crime are entitled to the same protections," Tyler says.
CPR's Pat Mack contributed to this report.
You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. We can help you keep up. The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning!
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now.
Join us for these upcoming events!
It takes a good day’s drive to cover Colorado, but we’ll help you do it in a few minutes. Our newsletters bring you a closer look at the stories that affect you and the music that inspires you.