Aurora City Council opposes ICE actions in new resolution

Aurora City Council Passes Resolution Against Federal Immigration Enforcement

AURORA, Colo. — Aurora’s newly progressive City Council is opposing “unlawful and overreaching” federal immigration enforcement actions. This follows an incident where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis this month.

Council Votes on Resolution

During Monday night’s council meeting, members voted 6-4 to pass a resolution in solidarity with Minnesota residents. The resolution calls for ICE to leave the community after the shooting. It also opposes what the council describes as “unlawful and overreaching federal immigration enforcement actions” and affirms due process protections.

Direction to City Management

The resolution directs city management to limit cooperation with ICE and its affiliates. Colorado law already prohibits local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement operations.

Shift in Council Ideology

This vote marks a change in ideology within the council. Previously, it had a conservative majority. Voters flipped the council to a progressive majority during November’s election. Newly elected members include Rob Andrews, Alli Jackson, Gianina Horton, and Amy Wiles, who were sworn in on December 1.

Statements from Council Members

“We have got to do a lot of repair, because the previous City Council really welcomed ICE,” said newly-elected At Large Councilmember Alli Jackson. “This resolution is just standing in solidarity with the City of Minneapolis and their mayor… and seeing that ICE is not a good solution to some of the issues that they’re having out there.”

Not a Sanctuary City

Councilmember Jackson clarified that the resolution does not make Aurora a sanctuary city. It upholds state law prohibiting local police cooperation with ICE. Some opposing council members questioned the intent behind the resolution, noting the existing Colorado law.

Community Reactions

Denver7 spoke with several residents during the meeting. Brayden Albracht and Amber Wright supported the council’s stance and expressed concerns about ICE raids in neighborhoods.

“Aurora is one of the most diverse communities in all of Colorado. We have so many immigrant neighbors who we love dearly,” said Wright.

“I don’t think ICE makes this community safe at all,” Albracht added.

Other residents, like Sharlene Folks and Tanya Tabacheck, disagreed with the resolution. They expressed support for ICE officers and immigration enforcement.

“They’re putting their life, their life on the line for us,” said Folks.

“They are not killer agents,” Tabacheck stated.

Background on the Shooting Incident

The resolution responds to an ICE agent shooting and killing a woman in Minneapolis. Renee Good, 37, was from Colorado Springs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed she was trying to run over law enforcement officers, but local officials dispute this account.

Community Support for Council Changes

Many attendees at Monday’s meeting expressed happiness with the council’s new views on immigration enforcement. “I am very happy. I was very happy when the election rolled through,” said Victoria Cagande. “I’m hoping that this change brings a new era for Aurora.”

Response from Aurora Police Chief

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain responded to the resolution in a social media statement. He acknowledged strong political views on federal partnerships in law enforcement but expressed concern about the potential costs of the resolution.

“As a public safety and law enforcement professional, I have a duty to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of those I serve above all else,” he stated.

He noted that federal partnerships have been exploited for political purposes. “Keeping these partnerships out of the equation of public safety will leave the community more vulnerable to crime and victimization,” he added.

Chamberlain emphasized that the Aurora Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws and has no authority to detain people on civil immigration detainers. He reiterated that a person’s legal status is not relevant to their mission of public safety.

However, he stated that the department will continue to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement to hold accountable those who commit crimes against community members.

Summary of Key Facts