A dramatic turn in Denver's stance on immigration enforcement emerges as Mayor Mike Johnston reconsiders his previous hardline position against federal authorities.
According to The Daily Caller, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has announced plans to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in cases involving violent criminal migrants, marking a significant departure from his earlier confrontational stance.
Johnston's new approach includes notifying ICE about the release of certain individuals upon request, though he maintains that the city will not honor ICE detainers or extend holds beyond scheduled release dates. This policy shift arrives as Denver grapples with the financial strain of supporting over 42,000 migrants who have arrived since December 2022.
The city's evolving immigration situation has forced significant budget adjustments. Johnston implemented substantial cuts, including an $8.4 million reduction from the police department and $2.5 million from fire services, to accommodate migrant services. The Common Sense Institute estimates that Denver taxpayers and local organizations have invested approximately $340 million in providing essential services to migrants.
Border czar Tom Homan offered clarification on the legal boundaries of sanctuary policies. He explained to the Daily Caller News Foundation:
The whole state is bound by our state law in this, which is pretty consistent in some of these practices like everywhere in the state, we don't honor ICE detainers. If ICE calls and says, 'Will you hold someone for three more days?' That doesn't happen in Douglas County or Yuma or in Denver.
The Department of Justice has established a new Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group to address jurisdictions that resist federal immigration initiatives. This group will identify and challenge local laws that conflict with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Johnston's earlier stance included suggestions of using Denver police to prevent ICE agents from entering the city, though he later moderated these comments. His previous rhetoric indicated a willingness to face imprisonment rather than comply with federal immigration enforcement.
Mayor Johnston clarified his current position, emphasizing a balanced approach that maintains separation between local and federal law enforcement while allowing for specific cooperation. He stressed that local police would not actively assist in immigration enforcement but would share requested information about individuals in custody.
The Trump administration's response includes empowering U.S. attorney's offices to investigate potential misconduct by officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Border czar Homan has specifically focused on Denver, expressing readiness to pursue legal action against officials who impede federal operations.
Municipal leaders across the country watch closely as Denver navigates this policy shift. The creation of the DOJ's working group signals increased federal scrutiny of sanctuary policies nationwide, potentially influencing other cities' approaches to immigration enforcement.
The tension between federal immigration authorities and local governments continues to evolve. With Denver spending hundreds of millions on migrant services while facing budget constraints, the practical and financial implications of immigration policies have become increasingly apparent.
The working group's establishment represents a significant step in the federal government's approach to sanctuary jurisdictions, with potential legal challenges and prosecutions on the horizon for officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Denver's immigration policy transformation under Mayor Johnston illustrates the complex dynamics between federal enforcement and local governance. The mayor's shift from threatening jail time over ICE resistance to establishing selective cooperation frameworks demonstrates how mounting financial pressures and federal oversight can reshape municipal immigration policies. As the Department of Justice intensifies its focus on sanctuary jurisdictions through its new working group, Denver's experience may influence how other cities approach their relationships with federal immigration authorities.
