Denver Mayor Mike Johnston recently faced intense questioning from Republican lawmakers during a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing concerning the city’s sanctuary policies.
The hearing highlighted a specific incident where a suspected Venezuelan gang member, released from Denver’s custody with minimal notice to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), subsequently assaulted a federal officer.
Republican representatives criticized Johnston for Denver’s limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities. They argued that such policies potentially shield dangerous individuals from deportation, thereby endangering public safety.
Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Representative Jeff Crank (R-CO) specifically cited the recent assault on an ICE officer as evidence of the risks associated with sanctuary policies.
In response, Mayor Johnston defended Denver’s stance, asserting that the city is not a sanctuary city and emphasizing the importance of building trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
He argued that cooperation with federal immigration enforcement could deter undocumented individuals from reporting crimes or assisting police, thereby undermining public safety. Johnston also called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform to address the broader issues at hand.
The incident in question involved a Venezuelan national with suspected gang affiliations who was released from Denver’s custody. ICE officials received less than two hours’ notice before the individual’s release, limiting their ability to apprehend him. Shortly after his release, the individual assaulted an ICE officer in the jail’s parking lot.
This confrontation underscores the ongoing national debate over sanctuary policies, with federal authorities arguing that such policies hinder their ability to enforce immigration laws effectively. The Department of Justice has indicated plans to investigate cities like Denver for potential violations of federal law, which could lead to legal battles over the balance of power between local autonomy and federal immigration enforcement.
