Gangs SEIZE Housing as Dems Block ICE Help!
Colorado Democrats just doubled down on shielding illegal immigrants while Venezuelan gangs reportedly seize control of apartment complexes in their state—and the Biden DOJ is actually suing them for it.
At a Glance
- The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado, Denver, and local officials over “sanctuary” policies that allegedly hinder federal immigration enforcement
- The lawsuit references the controversial Aurora apartment complex allegedly taken over by the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang
- Colorado Democrats recently defeated a Republican bill that would have allowed local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE
- The state denies being a “sanctuary state” despite maintaining policies prohibiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities
- Critics argue sanctuary policies protect criminals while supporters claim cooperation with ICE harms immigrant communities
Biden Administration Takes Legal Action Against Sanctuary Policies
In a plot twist that has constitutional conservatives doing double-takes, the Biden administration’s Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado, Denver, and local leaders over their “sanctuary” policies. The federal government is actually claiming these Democrat-enacted policies are hindering federal efforts to deport illegal immigrants. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Denver, cites the U.S. government’s constitutional authority over immigration matters and specifically references an apartment complex in Aurora that was allegedly taken over by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
DOJ sues Colorado, Denver over ‘sanctuary policies’
The DOJ claims that Colorado’s laws preventing local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration authorities violate the Supremacy Clause. The defendants include Governor Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and Denver officials. While local officials dispute the extent of gang control in Aurora, they acknowledge serious issues at the complex, prompting the question: How bad must it get before public safety takes precedence over progressive ideals?
Colorado Officials Deny “Sanctuary State” Label While Maintaining Sanctuary Policies
Colorado’s governor’s office responded to the lawsuit with the kind of doublespeak that would make George Orwell proud, stating they will comply with court rulings while flat-out denying being a “sanctuary state.” This despite maintaining laws that actively prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Meanwhile, Denver’s mayor’s office criticized the lawsuit while claiming compliance with all laws and readiness to defend “city values” – apparently values that include shielding criminal illegal immigrants from deportation.
“The United States has well-established, preeminent, and preemptive authority to regulate immigration matters.” – Department of Justice
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office seems ready to waste taxpayer dollars defending these policies, with a spokesperson stating they are “committed to defending Colorado law and has done so successfully in the past in this area. We stand ready to do so again.” The lawsuit is part of a broader federal crackdown on sanctuary cities, with similar actions filed against Chicago and Rochester, New York. At least someone in the Biden administration seems to have momentarily remembered that immigration enforcement is actually part of their job description.
Democrats Block Republican Efforts to Restore Law Enforcement Cooperation with ICE
While the DOJ lawsuit was being filed, Colorado Democrats were busy doubling down on their sanctuary policies. Republican efforts to revive a law allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration agents recently failed in the state legislature on a predictable party-line vote of 2-3 after a five-hour debate. Senate Bill 047 would have reenacted a 2006 law requiring law enforcement to report arrests of suspected illegal immigrants to ICE and allowed holding individuals for up to 48 hours for ICE action.
The bill was inspired by Sheriff Jason Mikesell of Teller County, the only department in Colorado still complying with ICE under the 287(g) program, despite being sued by the ACLU for his troubles. Law enforcement officials who testified in support of the bill made the outrageous suggestion that perhaps they should be allowed to help federal authorities remove violent criminals from their communities. El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal accused criminals of taking advantage of Colorado’s status as a “sanctuary” state to escape prosecution. Douglas County Undersheriff David Walcher asked the simple question Democrats seem unable to answer: “Why is the state of Colorado getting in their way?”
The Debate: Public Safety vs. Political Theater
Democrats opposing the cooperation bill claimed immigration has become “weaponized” as a political issue. State Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, complained that the country is now “trapped in political theater” – apparently oblivious to the irony that preventing police from cooperating with federal authorities is the ultimate form of political theater, sacrificing public safety at the altar of progressive ideology. While proponents argued the bill would help remove violent criminals, opponents claimed it would somehow harm immigrant communities and erode trust in law enforcement.
Critics from groups like the Colorado Fiscal Institute and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition argue that the bill will create fear and reduce public safety, which is the opposite of the truth. They claim that protecting criminal illegal immigrants makes communities safer, while removing them makes communities less safe. In the view of sanctuary policy supporters, enforcing immigration laws against criminals is harmful to all immigrants. They suggest that law-abiding immigrants benefit from having criminals in their communities who share their national origin.