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Steamboat Springs — The main message of a Routt County League of Women Voters presentation about immigration was that the federal government needs a firmer push from residents more than state government to reform immigration policy.

During the session Wed--nesday evening, about 30 league members and other Steamboat Springs residents listened to Daniel Spivey at the Denver-based think tank the Bell Policy Center enumerate why undocumented immigrants come to the U.S., what they do here and why federal policy needs to match the "reality of the economy."

Spivey said several times during the 30-minute presentation that employees at the nonprofit, nonpartisan research center he works for think state politicians and citizens groups should be saving their efforts and energy. Instead of supporting strict immigration measures, Spivey said residents should spend time putting pressure on the federal government to be consistent in its policymaking.

"We feel like we have an economy that says 'Come on in' but a policy that says 'Get out,'" he said. "We need a federal policy that is in beat with our economy."

Spivey said almost all documented and undocumented immigrants -- from Mexico, South America or Asia -- come to the U.S. to work, not to take advantage of government services.

Spivey said 57 percent of immigrants come from Mexico and that foreign workers filled 58 percent of the 11 million jobs that were created in the U.S. between 1996 and 2003.

Although some would argue that the immigrant workforce has bolstered the economy, others argue that immigrants bog down state agencies and cost state taxpayers billions of dollars.

Spivey explained to one man in the audience that immigrants are a net benefit to the federal government but a net loss to individual states and municipalities because of the costs of providing primary education and emergency medical care for undocumented immigrants.

"Somehow, we need to get that more into balance. We need to present the federal government with a bill," Spivey said.

Spivey said such actions are almost impossible when initiatives are constantly coming before voters asking them to tighten immigration policy by restricting benefits immigrants are eligible for.

Of the several proposed state House bills, Senate bills and amendments Spivey addressed, the one that raised many eyebrows in the room is scheduled to come before voters in November and would limit all government services to undocumented workers, which would apply to all state, county and political subdivisions.

If the measure passes, immigrants would be entitled to K-12 education and emergency medical care, but the measure would allow any legal Colorado resident to sue any level of government if the resident suspects violations or inadequate enforcement of the measure.

Community member Diane Mitsch Bush said she didn't understand the entire measure before Wednesday's presentation but that she is concerned that Routt County could get caught in potential lawsuits if it passes.

"My concern is that we, the residents of Routt County, could be held responsible for this. We could be held responsible for some very expensive lawsuits," she said.

Spivey said he understands Mitsch Bush's concern, which is why the Bell Policy Center takes the stance that the federal government should be held responsible for evening out the kinks in the nation's immigration policies.

"Our No. 1 position is that this is a federal government issue and that citizens should be pushing the government for reform," he said.

Routt County League of Woman Voters President Cath--erine Lykken said she was impressed with the event's turnout.

"We set up these sessions because they are centered on topics the (League of Women Voters) is interested, and because we are an active group, not a reactive group. We always think it is important to be educated. I am glad so many members of the community attended, because it is important they are exposed to it, too," she said.