As President Donald Trump takes office for his second term, the immigrant communities and residents of metro Denver are on edge, unsure of how his proposed policies, including mass deportations, will impact them locally.
Recent reports have suggested that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may be planning raids in Denver, although these rumors remain unconfirmed. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, listed Denver as one of the major U.S. cities where ICE raids could take place soon. Other cities mentioned included Chicago, Miami, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Antonio. The New York Times and the Associated Press later confirmed that Chicago was likely to be the starting point for these raids.
Denver has garnered attention due to Venezuelan gang activity in Aurora, leading to Trump’s promise of launching “Operation Aurora” during his campaign. The city has seen an influx of over 40,000 migrants in recent years, although the flow has slowed down significantly since last year.
President Trump has outlined his immigration priorities, which include declaring a national emergency at the southern border and sending troops. He plans to halt all illegal entry and begin the process of deporting millions of criminal aliens. Additionally, he intends to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum-seekers and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
In Colorado, the enforcement of these policies remains uncertain due to the state’s sanctuary laws, which complicate coordination between local law enforcement and ICE. ICE has not provided specific details on when raids may begin in Denver or how they will be carried out.
Local leaders have taken different stances on Trump’s immigration proposals. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has expressed opposition to deportations, while Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has signaled his support for Trump’s plans. Governor Jared Polis has called for securing the border but has also emphasized the importance of not targeting American citizens or breaking up families.
As uncertainty looms over the immigrant communities in metro Denver, residents are left wondering how these proposed policies will impact their lives. The future remains unclear as the Trump administration moves forward with its immigration agenda.
