Denver's neighboring cities signal support for mass deportations
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An ICE processing center in Centennial pictured in 2017. Photo: RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Leaders in Aurora, Castle Rock and Colorado Springs are committing to comply with what President-elect Trump has called "the largest deportation operation in American history."
Why it matters: Colorado law prohibits local police from working with federal immigration agents, setting up a conflict between state and city policies.
The big picture: Denver's neighbors sharply diverge from the capital city, where Mayor Mike Johnston has vowed to resist Trump's deportation efforts.
- Johnston's defiance has drawn threats from Trump's border czar nominee, Tom Homan, who warned the mayor could be jailed for his position.
Driving the news: This month, the town council in Castle Rock unanimously passed a measure to "comply and assist" with federal immigration enforcement under Trump's plan.
- In Aurora — where Trump has planned to start his immigration crackdown — Mayor Mike Coffman told CBS4 this month he wants statewide restrictions lifted so the city can cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on mass deportations.
- In Colorado Springs, the city council recently passed a second resolution reaffirming its status as a "non-sanctuary city."
State of play: Earlier this year, El Paso County — where Colorado Springs is the county seat — joined Douglas, Elbert, Garfield, Mesa and Rio Blanco counties in suing the state.
- The lawsuit challenges two state laws that restrict local governments from aiding federal immigration authorities.
The latest: Stephen Miller, Trump's incoming deputy chief of staff for policy, on Sunday revealed more details about the administration's immigration plan.
- It includes a "massive increase" in ICE officers and a "historic increase" in border agents to carry out deportations, Miller said.
What we're watching: Trump on Sunday said that families with mixed immigration status should be deported together, which could have sweeping consequences in Colorado and nationwide.
- An estimated 4.7 million households in the U.S. are defined as "mixed-status," meaning they house at least one undocumented resident and at least one citizen or legal noncitizen resident, per the Center for Migration Studies.