Denver Tells Immigration Officials: 'Show Respect'

More than a dozen officials in Denver have a simple message for federal immigration officials in the city: respect sensitive locations when carrying out raids, "especially at our near Denver schools or in Denver courthouses." The sentiment was contained in a letter expressing concerns over recent enforcement actions.

"ICE has used courthouses in Denver as staging areas for enforcement activities," the officials wrote. "However, we believe this practice has and will increasingly lead to an environment of fear for victims and witnesses.

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"Already, we have victims of domestic violence refusing to come to court for fear of immigration consequences, which results in violent criminals being released into the community."

The letter was signed by Mayor Michael B. Hancock, all members of Denver City Council, Denver County Court Presiding Judge Theresa Spahn, District Attorney Beth McCann, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg, and Denver City Attorney Kristin Bronson.

Mayor Hancock says the letter asks ICE to abide by a 2011 agreement concerning enforcement activities at or focused on sensitive locations.

"This is a simple request for immigration officials to enforce federal laws while respecting sensitive areas so our residents can go about their daily lives," he says. "

"People must feel safe to work with the city and our officers, which is why we are focused on enacting policies and practices that protect people’s safety and their rights while helping federal authorities to focus on removing dangerous and violent felons from our streets."

Hancock says the city "will not shield criminals" but needs to make sure that the city acts in a way that enhances and doesn't detract from public safety.

"This is critical to the safety of our entire community," he says.

The letter cites a couple of recent examples of ICE activities that appear to violate the 2011 agreement: a March 14 raid near Colorado High School Charter and appearances at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse to make arrests.

"Identifying yourselves as 'police confuses and erodes the trust between our local police and the immigrant community endangering the community at large," the officials wrote. "Again, Denver's concerns in this regard are being increasingly expressed by city leaders and local law enforcement officials elsewhere in the United States."

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