Venezuelan gangs are leveraging sanctuary city policies in Colorado, igniting national debate on immigration and public safety.
Key Takeaways
- Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston faced scrutiny over immigration policies, testifying at a House Committee hearing.
- The Tren de Aragua gang is establishing roots in Denver, attributed to sanctuary laws and weakened local-federal cooperation.
- Debates highlight a national divide between sanctuary measures and law enforcement priorities.
- Critics argue these policies may inadvertently shelter criminal elements while challenging federal law.
- Public resources are strained by the influx of immigrants, raising safety and service provision concerns.
Gang Presence in Colorado
The Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), has expanded its operations in Denver. Key figures like District Attorney George Brauchler and Republican Representative Gabe Evans argue these gangs capitalize on sanctuary city policies, finding a haven in Denver. Brauchler criticized local leadership for ignoring gang threats, labeling the approach as “ignorance-is-bliss to the law.” Aurora apartments have reportedly become gang strongholds as disagreements on policy solutions persist.
Brauchler emphasized, “There were the two extreme positions. One was, ‘Hey, they’d taken over the city’… then you’d have the people on the far left in the mainstream media saying ‘there’s no such thing as a country of Venezuela. Venezuelans don’t exist. It’s all made up. It’s a figment of your imagination.”
The state’s judiciary promotes sanctuary policies that restrict communication with federal immigration authorities. These developments have increased calls for better cooperation between state and federal law enforcement, suggesting local inaction jeopardizes public safety.
Controversial Immigration Policies
At a recent hearing, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston faced pressing questions about the city’s immigration stance from Republican committee members. Johnston argued that Denver adheres to existing state and federal laws despite their sanctuary designation. However, he was accused of shielding violent gangs due to weak immigration laws. Johnston insists Denver is not a sanctuary city; his office argues for congressional intervention in the national immigration crisis.
Johnston, deflecting accusations about harboring criminals, pledged resistance to policies he deemed targeting local governance. He announced $45 million for migrant programs, cutting police funding. Despite public and political criticism, he maintains these changes won’t impede public services or diminish police presence. Yet, concerns about adequately addressing the threat posed by international gangs remain.
Broader Implications for State and Federal Policy
Sanctuary policies in Colorado, espoused by its Democrat leadership, include protecting illegal immigrants in various public spaces and proposed expansions to courthouse routes. These policies aim to shield residents from immigration enforcement but complicate federal and local law enforcement dynamics. Critics, like Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans, stress the vulnerability of such policies to exploitation by bad actors like Tren de Aragua.
“The illegal immigrant gang Tren de Aragua targeted Denver to be their American HQ because of weak immigration laws,” Rep. Evans said.
The resulting community strain, highlighted by public safety concerns, hospital and school impacts, and increased drug trafficking, fuels calls for re-evaluation. District Attorney Brauchler and others demand that the state revisit its position on interceding between illegal immigrants and federal law enforcement, arguing it inadvertently encourages criminal infiltration.
