Greeley – Tom Selders knows he could stick to issues like curbs and gutters, trash and weeds, and other problems that hound mayors.
But the 61-year-old business owner decided instead to insert himself into one of the most divisive issues in the United States. Some feel it could get him tossed as mayor of this city of 90,000.
The plain-spoken Selders earlier this month went to Washington, D.C., and described to groups that lobby Congress how federal immigration raids last year devastated local families. He also asked that the policies of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office be reviewed.
Calls for Selders’ recall were immediate, as were the harsh comments from those who thought Selders overstepped his role as mayor to one that protects and coddles illegal immigrants.
“He went there because he feels it is only difficult for the illegals in Greeley and not for the basic community that is legal,” said Joy Breuer, who runs the Greeley For God ministry and is a critic of illegal immigrants.
She says there was talk of recalling Selders, but because he is up for re-election, many will likely wait to vote him out in November.
Others hail him as a hero for speaking out against immigration policies that they consider illogical and harsh.
“I commend him for his courage,” Latino activist Sylvia Martinez said. “He displayed something so many local politicians don’t have.”
A recent public forum also was packed with supporters of Selders, and he claims most letters and e-mails to him solidly back his comments.
As for the criticism, Selders remains unfazed. “I know there would be controversy because if the mayor of Greeley says anything that is not 100 percent behind a group, then they take it as meaning I’m 100 percent against them,” said Selders.
“I represent all of Greeley and the concerns of the residents, and plenty are concerned about the actions of ICE,” he said.
A December raid by ICE at the Greeley Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley netted about 260 workers in a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants using stolen identification. About 18 were eventually charged with identity theft, but officials said nearly all the workers were using a false identity.
The raids broke up families that have been in Greeley for years doing jobs that Anglos refuse, say immigration advocates. Selders said he never asked that immigration and criminal laws be suspended. He did ask, however, “that ICE be held accountable and prove that it is treating people humanely.”
The raid – as well as the relocation of an ICE office in Greeley later this year – has led to bitter feelings. Some Latinos worry they will be targeted by ICE officers, while more than a few Anglos welcome ICE’s presence and a crackdown on illegal activity by immigrants.
Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck said the raid indicated that identity theft is a problem and it should be dealt with. “When the mayor asks for a basic moratorium on enforcement,” Buck said, “I find that offensive.”
Still, Selders vows to keep an eye on ICE and how it affects residents. “I could have done all of this under the radar,” he said. “But I chose to be upfront about it because as mayor that’s my job.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
