The U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit to end “sanctuary laws” in Colorado and Denver begins with a lie that undermines every other argument in the overwrought complaint.
“At the end of last year, the nation was shocked by images and videos of members of Tren de Aragua seizing control of apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado,” wrote Yaakov M. Roth, acting assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Civil Division. “It is the direct byproduct of the sanctuary policies pushed by the State of Colorado.”
Coloradans know better than to believe that revisionist history, and the case Roth is referencing is the perfect example of how law enforcement in this state partnered successfully with federal officials to catch the criminals in the video. Two were in custody days after police were called to the scene of the fatal shooting.
Sanctuary policies did not hinder the successful apprehension of five of the six men shown brandishing weapons outside an Edge of Lowry apartment and the “sanctuary” policies do not prevent or even slow good law enforcement work.
Rather the laws keep local law enforcement from doing work that would only distract from catching criminals — checking for citizenship, visas, and work permits. Trump and the Department of Justice are trying to tear down sanctuary policies so they can use local law enforcement to conduct mass deportations — the rounding up of millions of residents whose only crime is immigration related.
Roth is clearly confused about the important distinction between dangerous criminals and hard-working neighbors, but that’s no surprise. Roth was recruited from what Bloomberg Law called a “Trump-aligned” law firm, and President Donald Trump ran for office this year, promising to deport 11 million people.
Tren de Aragua got a foothold in Aurora, not because of Colorado’s policies, but because of a refugee crisis in Venezuela that has caused an estimated 8 million people to flee the country in search of food, medicine and safety from gang violence. And yes, some gang members used the exodus to sneak into America.
Now, Trump and the Department of Justice are using the refugee crisis and subsequent illegal immigration influx as a pretext to deport anyone and everyone without legal status. It’s a goal they cannot achieve without police, deputies and troopers helping in the roundup.
Colorado law and specifically Denver Municipal Code Sections 28-250 to 253 will keep law enforcement from tearing communities asunder at the behest of the president.
Denver’s ordinance prevents the city from using funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws but it also includes key provisions to make sure that police and deputies are working hand in hand with all federal agents to catch criminals. The city code is abundantly clear: it does not prohibit criminal investigation collaboration but only work relating to “alleged violations of the civil provisions of federal immigration laws.”
Denver police can assist federal officials targeting violent gang members operating a chop shop, but they can not go door to door in an apartment complex asking people to show their papers without a warrant for someone specific.
Denver Police can and should work with ICE to apprehend Tren de Aragua gang members but shouldn’t ask people they pull over for broken taillights for proof of citizenship.
One section of the law prohibits federal immigration officials from entering secure areas of the city or county jail or other city-owned property without a warrant. We’ve addressed this portion of the law in a previous editorial, and think revision is necessary to allow ICE officials into facilities to detain people who have deportation orders or a court-ordered detainer.
None of these provisions would have prevented Denver law enforcement from pursuing the criminals in the Edge of Lowry complex, and Colorado law certainly didn’t delay Aurora’s good police work. Two days after the shooting, Aurora Police had already apprehended two of the six suspects on investigation of first-degree burglary and menacing with a firearm. Federal immigration officials in New York City used Aurora’s arrest warrants and investigation to arrest three more of suspects. Leaving only one suspect unaccounted for.
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The lawsuit from the Department of Justice is not about Tren de Aragua gang members or the terrifying crimes they have committed. The lawsuit is about apprehending parents and grandparents, construction workers and Dreamers, homeowners and renters, students and fruit pickers.
Trump is looking to fulfill his campaign promise. He should quit obfuscating his intent and be honest that sanctuary policies are standing in the way of a massive police state needed to round up millions. Reports indicate that Trump is increasingly frustrated. His efforts at mass deportation have been hampered at every turn by judges who bravely uphold due process in the face of personal attacks. We are inspired by the legal advocates and neighbors who inform immigrants of their rights even as ICE rolls into a neighborhood with armored cars.
Trump won the election, but just because millions of Americans support his call for mass deportation doesn’t make the president’s plans morally right. This lawsuit is one step in his effort to steamroll America’s legal system and Colorado laws.
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