The only son of an Egyptian immigrant, Troy Eid is looking ahead to
his job as the government’s top prosecutor in Colorado.

Confirmed by the Senate late Thursday as U.S. attorney for
Colorado, Eid said that among his priorities for his 70-lawyer
Denver office will be enforcement of immigration law.

“I respect what immigrants bring to the country so much,” Eid
said in an interview Friday. “We just have to enforce the law.
It’s a really tough issue.”

Eid, 42, is a former legal counsel to Gov. Bill Owens and a lawyer
specializing in cases involving environmental issues and Indian
affairs. He awaits his formal commissioning by President Bush.

Recent debate over immigration has been “very positive” – leading
to a new awareness among employers, local authorities and state
officials, Eid said. “People are realizing we all have a role to
play in it. It’s not just one or two government agencies.”

Eid brings an intimate knowledge of immigration issues. His father,
the late Edward Eid, moved to the United States from Cairo with
$100 in 1957 after military dictator Gamal Nasser took power.
Edward Eid worked at a steel factory and as an accountant in a
candle factory – and later served as a leader of the Colorado State
Soccer Association.

Troy Eid grew up in Wheat Ridge. He attended Stanford University,
graduating in 1986, and earned his law degree from the University
of Chicago in 1991.

His wife, Allison Eid, became a Colorado Supreme Court justice in
February. They have two children.

Eid will replace acting U.S. attorney William Leone, who has served
since December 2004, when John Suthers resigned to become Colorado
attorney general after Ken Salazar left that position for the U.S.
Senate.

Eid expressed thanks to Sens. Salazar and Wayne Allard for their
support.

His other priorities:

“Preventing children from being exploited over the Internet.”

Building up his staff by luring more top prosecutors. “We have a
natural recruiting advantage in Colorado,” he said.

Establishing better relations between the federal government and
Indian tribal authorities. Admitted to the Navajo Nation bar, Eid
said he visited tribal territory 41 times over the past two years.
“It starts with respect,” he said.

Working more closely with local police. “I’m going to spend a lot
of time listening to local law enforcement.”