Colorado sanctuary city controversy

Aurora, Boulder and Denver have been involved in controversy concerning their assertions that as sanctuary cities they will refuse to comply with federal laws regarding the treatment of illegal immigrants. The cities might lose "millions of dollars" in federal funds under an Executive Order signed by President Trump that would punish sanctuary cities.[1] Aurora and Denver have stated that they will refuse to enforce federal immigration laws.[2] Boulder has proclaimed itself a "sanctuary city," and mandated that " "no city employee shall inquire into a person's immigration status."[3]

Denver

Denver Sheriff Patrick Firman, in charge of the city jail, has attempted to comply with Denver's sanctuary city policy that prohibits municipal officials from honoring federal “detainer” requests to hold jailed immigrants past their release dates.[4][5] The American Civil Liberties Union has threatened to sue Firman if he complies with federal law by honoring an ICE detainer request.[5] The Denver city attorney has warned Firman not to hold inmates after their scheduled release.[5] In addition, local "immigrants rights" groups have pressured Firman, an elected official, not to comply with federal law.[5] Firman has attempted to comply with city police without violating federal law by notifying the ICE by fax before the inmate is released, rather than holding them until federal agents arrive.[5]

In 2014 the United States Supreme Court ruled that jails cannot hold undocumented an illegal immigrant on an ICE "detainer" order after the prisoner has made bail Unless ICE has obtained an arrest warrant from a federal judge, which a spokesman for the Sheriff's office said had not been obtained in this case.[6]

Crimes

Norlan Estrada Reyes

Norlan Estrada Reyes is an illegal immigrant who was deported from the United States in 2007, reentered the country illegally, and was subsequently charged with committing crimes in Denver twice, including driving under the influence. Following an arrest in 2013, Estrada Reyes posted bond and was released from jail before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reached him. In 2014, the ICE was not notified of his arrest.[7] On October 30, 2016, Reyes hit and killed Karina Pulec as she was crossing the streeet; Reyes was driving a full-size Ford pickup truck[7]

Ever Valles

Ever Valles (19) is an illegal immigrant to the United States from Mexico who came to national attention in 2017 in the U.S. as part of the controversy over "sanctuary cities" when he committed murder during an attempted robbery after being released from jail in Denver, Colorado, by city officials who failed to properly respond to a request for detainer isseud by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).[5][7]

Valles was in jail in Denver in December 2016 on charges of car theft. He was released in the middle of the night, 10 hours after he posted bail but only 30 minutes after ICE was notified that he would be released.[5] Valles and Nathan Valdez have been charged with the murder of Tim Cruz (32) on February 7, 2017 during a robbery attempt at a Denver light rail station.[5][8] In the wake of the Valles incident, the Denver Sheriff's Department is reviewing its policies.[6]


See also

References

  1. ↑ Matthews, Mark (25 January 2017). "NewsImmigration Denver, Aurora at risk for Trump action against so-called “sanctuary” cities". Denver Post. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  2. ↑ Phillips, Noelle (15 November 2016). "Denver, Aurora police say they will not start enforcing federal immigration laws". Denver Post. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  3. ↑ Burness, David (3 January 2017). "Defying Trump, Boulder declares itself a sanctuary city". Daily Camera. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  4. ↑ Jon Murray, “Mayor Hancock says he welcomes “sanctuary city” title if it means Denver supports immigrants and refugees” Denver Post, 30 January 2017
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Stockman, Farah (24 February 2017). "Trump Immigration Policies Pose Conflict for Police in ‘Sanctuary Cities’". New York Times. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  6. 1 2 Verlee, Megan (22 February 2017). "Denver Sheriff Will Revisit Jail Policies On Inmates Flagged For Deportation". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Paul, Jesse (22 February 2011). "After being deported in 2007, he was arrested twice in Denver. Then, police say he killed a woman.". Denver Post. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  8. ↑ "Suspect in Denver murder was wanted for possible deportation". Fox31Denver. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
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