Greeley leaders say a Weld County resolution goes too far in singling out illegal immigrants as the cause of gang activity, violent crime and drug use.
The county resolution asks that a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office be located in Greeley. The office would track and detain illegal immigrants who commit crimes in Weld County.
Greeley officials say the office would be welcome, but they don’t agree with the language in the county resolution.
The resolution, approved Oct. 10, reads in part: “Whereas, violent crime, methamphetamine distribution, alcohol-related offenses and structured gang activity have presented themselves as serious, growing, interconnected problems in Weld County, and …
“Whereas, some of the foregoing crimes are committed by illegal aliens and removing criminal illegal aliens from Weld County would ease the burden on law enforcement resources … .”
Greeley Councilman Leroy Johnson said the wording is racially tinged.
“I think it sounds prejudicial and opens up an opportunity for persecution,” said Johnson, who represents one of the largest Hispanic areas of the city.
County officials say race had nothing to do with the resolution, but reality did. Foreign-born inmates – 85 as of last week – make up about 15 percent of the 585 inmates housed full-time in the Weld County Jail, said Sheriff John Cooke.
About 50 of the 85 have ICE holds on them, meaning they are suspected of the most serious of crimes, Cooke said. The resolution, he said, “was merely informational. What was presented is true.”
About 30 percent of Greeley’s 80,000 residents are Hispanic. Despite being the city’s most visible minority, Hispanics hold few leadership roles in the city. Some blame Hispanic disinterest in local politics, while others say persistent racism is to blame.
Carlos Leal, a former councilman, said commissioners were targeting illegal immigrants because it is politically popular.
“It’s always good to have a scapegoat,” Leal said. “So instead of looking at the real issues of crime, why not pin it on a group already despised?”
Weld County Commissioner Glenn Vaad said he would not consider rewriting the resolution to appease Greeley’s concerns.
“I didn’t find it inappropriate,” he said.
But, Vaad said, the commissioners probably will meet with Hispanic leaders if similar actions are taken in the future.
“They are part of our constituency, and they certainly have the right to give us feedback,” he said.
Greeley Mayor Tom Selders said the council will consider its own resolution Nov. 15.
“We have to be really careful when we are talking about any group of people,” Selders said.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
