DENVER (KDVR) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a sanctuary jurisdiction list of areas across the country, including 14 cities and several counties in Colorado, that are allegedly defying immigration laws.
On Thursday, the department posted a list of more than 500 jurisdictions across the country on its website as part of the executive order "Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens." The department said the order requires a list of jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration laws, also known as sanctuary jurisdictions.
Colorado House passes immigration protections after DOJ sues for ‘sanctuary’ policiesSanctuary jurisdictions are considered cities, counties and states that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws and "protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences," according to the department.
This list comes about a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order cracking down on immigration laws. Border Czar Tom Homan said during a press conference when the order was signed that sanctuary cities are going to be sued by the Trump administration for not following the immigration laws.
These Colorado areas are reportedly 'sanctuary jurisdictions'
The list was created to identify these jurisdictions. The department said it used factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions and legal protections for illegal aliens to determine the list.
Colorado was listed as self-identifying as a state sanctuary jurisdiction. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has testified on Capitol Hill on sanctuary city policies, but the city has never formally taken on the title of a sanctuary city.
Boebert claims Johnston proved Denver is a ‘sanctuary’ city; advocates voice support of such policiesMeanwhile, several other Colorado cities and counties were also included on the sanctuary jurisdiction list. Here's which Colorado jurisdictions are on the list, as of May 30:
Counties
Adams County Arapahoe County Baca County Bent County Boulder County Broomfield County Chafee County Cheyenne County Clear Creek County Conejos County Costilla County Custer County Denver County Eagle County El Paso County Garfield County Gilpin County Gunnison County Huerfano County Jefferson County Kiowa County Kit Carson County La Plata County Lake County Larimer County Las Animas County Lincoln County Logan County Morgan County Otero County Park County Pitkin County Prowers County Pueblo County Rio Grande County Saguache County San Miguel County Summit County Washington County Weld County Yuma CountyCities
Boulder City of Durango City of Fort Collins Denver Lafeyette Lakewood Longmont Northglenn Town of Avon Town of Basalt Town of Carbondale Town of Dillon Town of Eagle Town of VailThe department said the listed jurisdictions will receive a formal notification of their non-compliance, and demands that the jurisdictions review and revise their polices to comply with the federal immigration laws.
Colorado officials respond
After the list was posted, several Colorado officials responded.
“Colorado is not a sanctuary state, despite this completely incorrect designation by DHS. Colorado and its cities and counties prioritize public safety, and local and state law enforcement work closely with federal law enforcement to apprehend dangerous criminals, whether they are from this country or not. We cannot comment further as DHS did not provide information as to how the determination of states, counties, and cities were made,” a spokesperson with the governor's office said.
"Arapahoe County has not received any formal communication from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the recent update to the April 28 Executive Order 14287. We are unclear as to why Arapahoe County appears on this list, as we comply with federal laws and uphold both the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions. Until we receive more information or official guidance from DHS, it would be inappropriate for us to speculate or provide further comment," said a spokesperson for Arapahoe County.
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