ICE criticizes Colorado’s immigration policies; makes 42 arrests
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has met resistance in Colorado, but that has not stopped the agency from making arrests.
ICE detained 42 undocumented people around Colorado and Wyoming this week, reports CPR. The majority of those arrested had previous criminal histories and nine have pending charges, according to statements made by John Fabbricatore, Denver’s acting field office director for ICE.
Fabbricatore said at a news conference Thursday that a lack of cooperation and approval for his agency’s work has created challenges, reports CPR.
“My employees believe in what they do. They believe in upholding the law, and they believe in keeping the community safe,” he said.
“Every day they go out and they strap on a badge and a gun and they kiss their wife or husband and their children goodbye and they go out on the street with the potential of them getting shot because of this rhetoric.”
Tensions between the public and immigration enforcement officials have risen around Denver recently. Protests erupted near ICE’s Aurora facility earlier this month, and three were arrested Sept. 19 during a demonstration.
Two days prior to that protest, the American Civil Liberties Union released a report claiming that medical neglect at the Aurora facility has led to two deaths in recent years.
Colorado officials have stood against ICE this year. Gov. Jared Polis signed a law blocking law enforcement officers from arresting an immigrant on orders from the federal government without a court order.
When ICE planned a raid in Denver in July, Mayor Michael Hancock said city employees would be available to help separated families.
Fabbricatore said that these policies can get in ICE’s way.
“When these detainers don’t get honored, ICE is left to try to apprehend these individuals before they harm anyone else,” he said, according to CPR. “We need the help of local law enforcement to keep the community safe. It is our belief that the state sanctuary policy does not do that.”
In this Oct. 22, 2018, file photo U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents escort a target to lockup during a raid in Richmond, Va.