AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — A migrant and housing advocacy group is asking questions about how the Aurora Police Department carried out an operation that led to the arrest of 16 undocumented immigrants.
The Housekeys Action Network Denver said Thursday the agency went too far by using ICE agents to take people into custody.
When Aurora police went to investigate a call for help regarding a home invasion and kidnapping at the Edge at Lowry complex, ICE agents went too. That has Housekeys Action Network Denver organizers concerned.
“We believe that this is a testing ground right now in Aurora. For them to try out to see how far they can go when it comes to detaining migrants without proper cause, and forcing them into deportation status in a lot quicker fashion,” Housekeys Action Network Denver Organizer V Reeves said.
The Network said several migrants who had nothing to do with the reported crime were detained by APD and then arrested by ICE.
“We cannot allow the police force to discriminate against them and mass for where they come from and to force them into this situation,” Organizer Reeves said.
But the former head of ICE’s Field office in Denver said ICE agents can help positively identify possible gang members. John Fabbricatore said ICE can also help keep migrants in custody until charges are filed in local cases.
“Once the city determines what they are going to charge them with then the city will come back and give ICE a writ to bring that person into city custody so they can be held at the county jail, Retired ICE Denver Field Office Director John Fabbricatore said.
Aurora’s new Chief of Police Todd Chamberlain said he would ask federal agencies to help in cases like the one at The Edge at Lowry, which was noticed by the country’s incoming border czar.
“What’s lacking is an ICE person standing next to him shoulder to shoulder. He’s talking the talk but let’s hope he walks the walk and hands these people to ice when he’s done with them. Because we can remove them not only from the community but the country,” Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan said.
“APD will evaluate all available resources and partnerships, including local, state, and federal agencies, to conduct thorough investigations,” an Aurora Police Department spokesman said in response to questions about the ICE operation.
“APD investigators contacted Homeland Security Investigations and ICE – ERO to assist with our criminal investigation of the violent incident that occurred Monday night into early Tuesday morning. The primary role of our federal partners was to assist with the identification of the suspects involved in the crime and their associates,” an APD spokesperson said.
Housekeys Action says migrants at The Edge at Lowry are desperately trying to find a better place to live but are having a difficult time doing that.
A spokesperson for ICE told FOX31 the 16 people under arrest will go through removal hearings. The question now is whether they will be charged in the kidnapping torture case and be transferred to state custody.
