In Denver, Colorado, an anti-ICE group has intervened to prevent agents from arresting an illegal immigrant, Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, who is wanted in Italy for child rape. According to ICE Colorado, their agents were in the process of detaining Leon-Deras, a Salvadoran national previously convicted of a serious crime abroad, when local activists notified him about the law enforcement’s approach, facilitating his escape.
ICE noted that a rapid response group had posted on social media about their activities, providing a warning that allowed Leon-Deras to evade capture. They expressed concern that such groups are obstructing efforts to maintain community safety.
The agency also shared examples of social media posts from the local group that alerted followers in both English and Spanish about the ICE presence and the methods being used by agents on the ground. ICE has urged the public to report any sightings of Leon-Deras to federal authorities, although they cautioned against approaching him directly.
Denver’s handling of immigration has raised eyebrows, particularly given the city’s reported expenditure of over $356 million on immigration services. A local ordinance, established in 2017, restricts cooperation with ICE, and recent events show a surge in protests against immigration enforcement, especially following the rhetoric during the Trump administration.
In Portland, anti-ICE demonstrators recently attempted to block an ICE facility’s entrance, even resorting to fireworks against law enforcement, further escalating tensions. Just weeks earlier, protesters in Los Angeles reportedly set fire to property and clashed with police, highlighting a growing pattern of unrest tied to immigration enforcement policies.
As debates around immigration continue, the situation remains fluid, with major implications for communities and law enforcement alike.
