Denver, Colorado – Today, beginning at 9:17am, CORRN documented Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) illegally detain at least three individuals fulfilling their obligation to appear at the Lindsey-Flanigan courthouse or who were accompanying people attending court. One of the individuals detained had his 12 year old son with him. Agents detained the father despite the 12 year old not having a guardian present, leaving him alone with a family friend.
The operation blatantly violated state law, SB20-083 that prohibits civil arrest while a person is inside a courthouse, on courthouse grounds, or going to or from a courthouse. ICE’s action also undermine the spirit of equal access under Denver’s Executive Order 142 “8.1. Plainclothes ICE agents did not register as such upon entering the courthouse nor did they alert Sheriff’s Deputies or security of their presence. Plainclothes and uniformed ICE officials detained people just outside the courthouse in a visible public area.
From 3:30pm to the close of the courthouse at 5:00pm CORRN confirmed Department of Homeland Security vehicles and agents stationed between the Van Cise-simonet Detention Center and the Lindsay Flanigan courthouse. ICE and DHS stationing their vehicles or personnel close to courthouses impedes access to justice. SB20-083 ensures protected access to justice systems in Colorado by protecting immigrants who go to courthouses from civil arrest, which can often have a devastating impact on the ability of the judicial system to protect vulnerable populations.
“It’s unconscionable that ICE would interfere with the justice system and due process in this way. When ICE stations vehicles and agents close to courthouses, their presence causes fear and uncertainty that can prevent someone from accessing the courthouse. This Administration hopes to further criminalize people by scaring them into not attending court. We encourage community members to still attend court, making a plan with their attorney and community in advance. You can request a virtual hearing as well. If you are attending a hearing and want to request accompaniment you can fill out this form and we’ll attempt to connect you with a trained volunteer.” explained Jordan Garcia of the American Friends Service Committee, a founding member organization of CORRN
“Our state-wide volunteer team willing to investigate a report of ICE is invaluable. Remember, when ICE is conducting “business as usual,” that business is the business of tearing apart families and terrorizing communities without regard to safety or due process. It is incredible to see how many people want to see that terrorizing stop,” shared Gladis Ibarra, of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), one of the founding organizations of CORRN.
“These enforcement actions by ICE grossly violated public trust with absolutely no benefit to public safety. Separating a 12-year-old from their father, especially, is a profound, indescribable harm,” said Emma Mclean-Riggs, ACLU of Colorado Staff Attorney. “SB20-083 was intended to ensure that any Coloradan, regardless of immigration status, would feel safe to appear in court. Today’s detentions grossly violated that promise.”
“If you or someone you know has been affected by recent enforcement actions, please contact us at 1-844-864-8341 so that we can connect them with legal representation and other resources, together we can keep our community safer.” commented Lamine Kane, of the Colorado People’s Alliance, another founding member of the Network. “Your calls also help us track ICE activity. Thanks to the community we know that the majority of people detained by ICE are bystanders.”
The Colorado Rapid Response Network (CORRN) releases data regarding community response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. Enforcement activity that terrorizes communities across the state, the CORRN Network has worked hard to prepare individuals and families by providing Know Your Rights information, family preparedness plans, and sharing the 24 hour hotline in response to targeted raids, 1-844-864-8341.
Having a family preparedness plan for immigrant communities ensures that each family knows who to call and what to do in the event of an ICE raid or detainment. Having a lawyer and CoRRN’s hotline number (1-844-864-8341) saved is an important part of any family plan. CoRRN has resources for immigrant families to create a preparedness packet to start this process.
Call your attorney or the Colorado Rapid Response Network immediately to assess your options if your family was in proceedings together and missed a court date for any reason. Call the Rapid Response Network immediately if there is ICE activity so legal observers and confirmers can respond on site quickly. Calling the hotline is better than posting on social media because it prevents undue heightened alarm or confusion. The hotline is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to respond.
The Colorado Rapid Response Network is an effort led by the Rapid Response Team of the Immigration Resistance Table, a group of organizations that includes American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Casa de Paz, the East Colfax Community Collective, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) and Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) and supported by hundreds of volunteers across Colorado.