In Denver, Colorado, activists against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) succeeded in thwarting the arrest of an individual wanted in Italy for child rape. The suspect, Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, an El Salvadoran man with a criminal background, had been convicted of this serious crime in Italy.
ICE officials reported that they were in the process of detaining Leon-Deras when members of a local anti-ICE group alerted him to the situation, enabling his escape. They noted that a rapid response team shared information on social media, which contributed to this outcome.
ICE stated, “During Leon’s surveillance, members of Colorado’s rapid response arrived on the scene and warned of the existence of law enforcement, allowing him to escape arrest.” They expressed concern that such groups impede ICE’s efforts to keep communities safe.
ICE also shared posts from the activist group, which were available in both English and Spanish, cautioning residents about ICE’s presence in the area. They urged individuals to report any sightings of Leon-Deras to federal authorities but advised against direct approaches.
Denver’s Mayor, Mike Johnston, had previously promised to station police officers to halt deportations, yet reports indicate that the city has allocated over $356 million from taxpayer funds toward immigration services. Additionally, a 2017 ordinance limits local authorities’ collaboration with ICE.
Since former President Trump’s administration, activities opposing ICE have escalated, especially given his commitment to conducting the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history.
In a related incident in Portland, Oregon, activists attempted to block access to an ICE facility and even fired fireworks at law enforcement. Meanwhile, a protest in Los Angeles recently resulted in property damage and confrontations with police, further exemplifying the rising tension surrounding immigration issues.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem noted on Friday that a significant portion of illegal aliens arrested during the Trump presidency had previous criminal charges or convictions.
