In a recent report, findings suggest that law enforcement officials in a blue state are protecting illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes from federal authorities. This was highlighted by the House Judiciary Committee, under Rep. Jim Jordan from Ohio, which released its investigation results regarding sanctuary jurisdictions and their effects on law enforcement nationwide.
The 25-page report claims that leading prosecutors in Denver and Boulder are actively assisting illegal immigrants in avoiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also names individuals who are allegedly shielded from federal enforcement actions, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
In response to these allegations, the district attorneys of both Denver and Boulder have contested the claims made by the Republican committee.
The report mentions cases such as that of Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan arrested for child sexual assault. Denver District Attorney John Walsh expressed frustration, stating that ICE deported Barrios-Ramirez to Mexico against their objections, essentially releasing him without consequence.
Another case involves Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national reportedly under scrutiny for various offenses including DUI and child cruelty. This individual had an ICE detainer that was ignored despite his legal troubles, which is concerning.
Additionally, Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple protective order violations, was cited for serious charges including aggravated assault and resisting arrest. Reports indicated that several illegal immigrants arrested for domestic violence in Denver faced similar disregard for their ICE detainers.
Moving to Boulder, the report also names Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, who was arrested for child abuse but had his ICE detainer overlooked. While ignoring such detainers may not always mean releasing these individuals back onto the streets, it complicates the process for potential federal deportations.
Moreover, both Denver and Boulder district attorneys are accused of being lenient towards illegal immigrants suspected of violent crimes, allowing them to evade ICE and potentially placing the community at risk. The report also highlights practices such as providing legal information in a preferred language to suspected offenders that encourages non-cooperation with federal authorities.
In another example, the report states that Denver officials failed to give timely notifications to ICE regarding suspected illegal immigrants, leading to delays that resulted in incidents like the release of Abraham Smith Gonzalez, an alleged gang member who subsequently assaulted an officer during an attempted arrest.
Furthermore, the report suggests District Attorney Dougherty from Boulder has a policy of not sharing information with ICE and has communicated pro-immigrant stances with defense attorneys prior to Trump’s presidency.
Dougherty has pushed back against the committee’s accusations, labeling the report a political maneuver aimed at manipulating voter sentiment leading up to midterm elections. He defended his office’s commitment to justice and public safety, asserting pride in their work and the dedication of his staff.
In Denver, District Attorney Walsh noted that their practices align with Supreme Court guidelines, stating their policies both adhere to the law and promote community safety by preventing wrongful convictions due to immigration issues. He emphasized that the Denver Sheriff’s Department handles ICE detainers in accordance with state law and constitutional requirements.
