Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is taking proactive steps to prepare his city for potential aggressive immigration enforcement actions. The mayor has engaged in tabletop exercises with his team and unveiled a comprehensive four-point plan to address concerns related to the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Denver has found itself at the forefront of the immigration debate, becoming the largest recipient city of migrants per capita following a controversial move by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to bus migrants to Democratic-led cities as a challenge to the Biden administration. President Trump's visit to Aurora, Colorado, further heightened tensions by portraying the community as plagued by migrant-related crime.
Mayor Johnston expressed a sense of urgency, stating that Denver appeared to be 'ground zero' for potential immigration enforcement actions. The city has conducted tabletop exercises to simulate various scenarios, including federal seizure of city assets, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting schools and churches, and the federalization of the National Guard against the governor's wishes.
In response to concerns about ICE sweeps, Denver officials have developed plans to collaborate with the federal government on identifying and apprehending violent criminals. While the city will notify ICE of impending releases of such individuals from jail, Mayor Johnston emphasized that Denver will not actively support ICE operations within the city limits.
Furthermore, Denver's plan includes a commitment to protect sensitive locations such as schools and churches from ICE enforcement actions. The city is prepared to take legal action against ICE if they target individuals in these areas. Additionally, the city's Department of Human Services is gearing up to address the potential consequences of family separations resulting from immigration enforcement actions.
Mayor Johnston highlighted the importance of preparing city services for challenging scenarios, such as a young child waiting at school for a parent who may not be able to pick them up due to immigration-related issues. Denver's comprehensive approach underscores its commitment to safeguarding its residents and upholding its values in the face of evolving immigration policies.
