A Call to Action from ACLU of Colorado

A liberal activist organization in Colorado is sending a strong message to the state’s sheriffs: cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation initiatives or engage with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at your own risk. In a recent letter, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado underscored potential personal liability for law enforcement officers who participate in these activities, issuing stern warnings against collaboration with ICE.

Consequences of Compliance

Signed by ACLU of Colorado executive director Deborah Richardson and legal director Tim MacDonald, the letter is explicit about the severe ramifications that could ensue for sheriffs who align themselves with federal immigration enforcement. It highlighted the risks posed to both individual law enforcement officers and their departments if they respond to ICE requests, including ICE detainers, which are typically used to hold individuals without warrants.

“Joining forces with ICE or similar agencies for mass immigration raids exposes you and your officers to personal liability,” MacDonald and Richardson wrote ominously.

A Historical Parallel

In a striking comparison, the ACLU likened Trump’s mass deportation plans to the Japanese internment camps established during World War II, which forcibly relocated and imprisoned Japanese Americans. This historical reference serves to underscore the group’s staunch opposition to perceived injustices against vulnerable communities, suggesting that compliance with federal immigration enforcement could lead to legal challenges and financial penalties amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.

The letter clearly stated that “any Colorado law enforcement officer who causes the violation of a right protected under the Colorado Constitution is subject to liability for damages and attorneys’ fees,” further indicating that elected sheriffs could also face personal obligations for any uncollectible judgments.

Citing Recent Incidents

The ACLU’s stance comes in the wake of a controversial incident involving the Aurora Police Department, which actively engaged with ICE during a December operation. The police’s collaboration allowed them to detain over a dozen immigrants following a violent home invasion and kidnapping connected to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA).

In this incident, gang members allegedly invaded a Venezuelan immigrant couple’s apartment in the Denver suburbs. Eyewitness accounts revealed horrifying details, including the victims being bound, beaten, stabbed, and subsequently kidnapped. Such acts of violence left the victims hospitalized and shaken, while the assailants reportedly stole valuables during the chaos.

Legal Oversight and Community Impact

Following the Aurora Police Department’s actions, MacDonald asserted that their participation in the raid exceeded their authority under Colorado law. He cautioned that such aggressive tactics could not only inflict harm but also create distress in vulnerable communities, potentially depriving residents of the legal rights guaranteed under state law.

“This type of behavior inflicts harm and distress on a vulnerable community,” he stated, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of all individuals residing in Colorado.

ACLU’s Commitment to Defend Rights

The organization’s commitment to civil rights remains firm. MacDonald asserted, “We have taken legal action against law enforcement offices that ran afoul of Colorado law, and if necessary, will do so again.” He emphasized the ACLU’s readiness to respond to any violations of civil rights, stressing the importance of upholding constitutional protections for families and communities across the state.

A Divided Response

The ACLU’s letter triggered a variety of reactions. Roger Hudson, a city council member from Castle Pines, expressed disappointment over the ACLU’s stance. He lamented that the organization, which he believes should defend the rights of all Americans, seems to prioritize noncitizens—many of whom are in the country illegally—over the rights of hardworking American taxpayers.

“Colorado taxpayers are exhausted from working hard to foot the high bill for failed liberal policies,” Hudson remarked, referring not only to immigration issues but also to challenges related to housing, education, and economic policies. He underscored that change is on the horizon, especially with the anticipated inauguration of President Donald Trump.