By Bruce Finley

In 10 seconds, any U.S. employer voluntarily can check the immigration status of workers using a free Web-based government screening system that’s been available since 2004.

This system, which checks names and Social Security numbers against federal records, weeds out hundreds of unauthorized workers, said Brian Burke, a Denver-based manager for American Linen Supply Co., whose 400 local employees come mostly from Mexico.

“We want to work within the law. We’re trying to be good citizens,” Burke said.

But most employers decline to use the system. >> MORE

Washington — Barring a sudden burst of activity, the 109th Congress may go down in history as the highest-paid bunch of political slackers to ever inhabit Capitol Hill.

After voting to give themselves raises last year, members of the House of Representatives are following a schedule that calls on them to spend just 97 days in session.

For that, they each will earn - wait for it - $165,200 this year. >> MORE

By Elizabeth Aguilera

Boycott or no boycott. American flags only or flags from all nations. A national message or one aimed at Colorado voters.

Local and national organizers of the immigration reform movement are taking a variety of approaches, but all agree they have the same goal: comprehensive immigration reform and human rights.

An economic boycott and massive rally planned for Monday to draw attention to the immigration debate and the role immigrants play in the economy is generating discussion about the most effective way for advocates to make their point. >> MORE

By Kristi Arellano

The thousands of protesters expected to converge on Denver in support of immigrants’ rights Monday won’t be limited to low-wage service workers and laborers. Lawyers, teachers and other professionals will also leave work to protest legislation aimed at tightening U.S. immigration policy.

“I’m concerned about the future of our country. The way we talk about these things, it’s become clear to me that this has become a very divisive issue,” said Michael Worrall, a Denver lawyer taking a vacation day from his government job to participate in Monday’s protest, a national effort dubbed “A Day Without an Immigrant.” >> MORE

By Mike Soraghan

Former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell is changing the way he pays his attorneys, but it’s hard to tell what that says about the status of the Justice Department investigation into his office.

In recent months, the Ignacio Republican has been making regular payments of $15,000 a month to lawyers at the Washington firm of Patton Boggs, according to campaign finance reports. That’s a change from 2004 and early 2005, when he was making payments in less rounded-off sums, like $27,424.74.

Campbell’s total payments to Patton Bogggs amount to about $150,000. >> MORE

By Anne C. Mulkern

Washington � Conservative Christian groups that have wielded increased political clout in recent years are torn over immigration, facing the same kind of internal rift on the issue as the Republican Party.

Groups like the Family Research Council must decide whether to stay loyal to their traditional membership base, which includes many who oppose illegal immigration. But that could hurt their ongoing efforts to reach out to Latinos on traditional marriage, abortion and school vouchers.

“We’ve been getting a number of inquiries asking us to take a stand on immigration,� said Tom McClusky, vice president of government affairs for the council, a leading social conservative group. “We’re trying to find common ground without losing any of our main principles.� >> MORE

By Washington and the West

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., left, greets Serj Tankian, right, and John Dolmayan of the rock group System of a Down on Capitol Hill Wednesday. AP

You probably won’t find a System of a Down CD in Sen. Wayne Allard’s collection, nor is he known to hum the alternative heavy metal band’s tunes “Violent Pornography” or “She’s Like Heroin” as he studies legislation in his office.

But the Colorado Republican does have one thing in common with the group: An interest in calling attention to the Armenian genocide of the early 20th century. >> MORE

By Kristi Arellano

Colorado companies with ties to Mexico will be watching the impact of a planned boycott of U.S. companies in that country Monday, but they aren’t expecting a decline in business.

The “Nothing Gringo” effort calls on Mexican citizens to avoid spending money with U.S. companies, particularly chain restaurants and stores. The boycott is set to coincide with demonstrations by immigrants and their supporters in the U.S. to show the economic impact of the immigrant workforce here. >> MORE

By Steve Lipsher and Mike Soraghan

Nederland � When a representative from a congressman’s office asked more than 200 people crowded into a church in this Boulder County mountain town whether anyone supported selling off pieces of the national forests to pay for rural schools, not a single hand was raised.

“Is no one holding their hand up out of fear?� asked an arm-raising Doug Young, a policy adviser for U.S. Rep. Mark Udall.

“My question,� responded an audience member, “is why are you holding your hand up?�

As the subsequent laughter died down, local forest officials acknowledged that they heard the message loud and clear: A Bush administration proposal to sell isolated parcels of federal land is wildly unpopular. >> MORE

By Anne C. Mulkern

Washington � President Bush on Tuesday called on the Senate to pass expansive immigration reform by Memorial Day and asked a group of senators, including Colorado’s Ken Salazar, to help reach that goal.

“It’s important that we reform a system that is not working,� Bush said after an hour-long meeting with 17 senators, including top Republican and Democratic leaders. “It’s important that we uphold the values of the United States of America. It’s important that we treat people with dignity.� >> MORE

By Christopher N. Osher

Al From, Democratic Leadership Council founder and CEO. DLC

The Democratic Party on Tuesday announced plans to hold a national strategizing session in Denver this summer, boosting hopes that the city also will be able to snag the party’s 2008 convention.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff appeared with Democratic Leadership Council founder Al From to announce that the DLC will hold its annual “national conversation” in Denver on July 22-24. >> MORE

By Elizabeth Aguilera and Kristi Arellano

Many businesses are rescheduling shifts, planning to work with skeleton crews or closing altogether Monday, a planned national day of action for immigrants and their supporters.

One of the state’s largest meat processing plants, Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan, has shifted production from Monday to Saturday in support of the workers’ attendance at planned rallies. The plant can process up to 4,500 cattle a day. Of the facility’s 1,900 employees, 70 percent are Latino. >> MORE

By Kelly Yamanouchi

Washington - NASA Administrator Michael Griffin is calling for a culture change in the aerospace industry, accusing players of using too many resources and taking too much time to accomplish things.

“We have too many people doing every job we do,” said Griffin, speaking at the Inside Aerospace conference organized by the Reston, Va.-based American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Colorado Springs-based Space Foundation. >> MORE

By Anne C. Mulkern

Washington - After failing to pass a broad immigration bill two weeks ago, senators who want stronger border security plan as early as today to get what they want one piece at a time.

Senate Budget Committee chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., plans to introduce an amendment adding $1.9 billion in border-security money to a $106.5 billion spending bill paying for the Iraq war and hurricane recovery. >> MORE

The May 1 national strike - dubbed “The Great American Boycott” - is less than a week away.

Organizers are urging Latinos, immigrant workers and their supporters to skip work and not spend money that day.

The stakes are high. What happens that day could alter public opinion for better or worse. >> MORE