A group of protesters gathered across the street from the federal courthouse and U.S. Customs House in Denver on Thursday, demanding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stop raids of homes and workplaces.
“The raids do nothing to solve our broken immigration system,” said Julien Ross, director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, which organized the event. “They only serve to separate families, uproot the community.”
About 30 people shouted, “ICE divides. Stop the raids,” in an effort to bring attention to ICE raids in Colorado.
There have been several raids in recent months that have affected hundreds of people who were either detained or had family members taken into custody, Ross said.
These raids work against the well-being of communities, said Gabriela Flora of Proyecto Voz, an immigrant-rights organization. “We have people fearful of law enforcement.”
On Tuesday, ICE officials arrested two Swift & Co. supervisors in Greeley – one for allegedly being in the country illegally, ICE spokesman Tim Counts said. The other was arrested by local police for outstanding warrants, he said.
The nationwide investigation resulted in 20 arrests at six Swift plants in six states.
Counts said every ICE raid has a specific purpose.
Unlawful employment supports a thriving criminal underground for identity theft and the sale of illegal documentation, he said, and is a threat to national security.
“Family disruption is a byproduct of poor decisions made by parents,” Counts said. “They know the risks when they enter this country.”
Lucia Stanford, 45, of Denver said she has two friends awaiting deportation in Texas.
“You feel afraid to go outside. If you have more than five people in your car, they’re going to think that you are trafficking,” she said. “Right now, Hispanic people don’t feel freedom.”
Staff writer Simona Gallegos can be reached at 303-954-1555 or sgallegos@denverpost.com.
