Immigration
ICE agents illegally detained Colorado US citizen for days because he was Hispanic, lawsuit claims
DENVER – A Gunnison man born in Colorado was picked up by immigration officers after a court appearance and illegally detained in immigration detention centers across the state for days, according to two newly-filed federal lawsuits.
Bernardo Medina, 22, is Hispanic and was born in Montrose in May 1994. He and his parents moved to Mexico before his first birthday, which is where he spent much of his early life. But Medina moved back to the Western Slope when he was 18, settling in Gunnison. Continue reading
Trump’s new immigration executive order: 7 differences from first travel ban
DENVER – President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on immigration Monday that revises his initial order that banned immigrants from seven predominantly-Muslim countries.
The new order contains some differences from the initial order, which was signed in January, but was challenged by federal judges in Washington and Minnesota. The suspension of the order was upheld by a federal appeals court. Continue reading
Class-action suit certified for 60K+ detainees at Aurora ICE facility ‘forced’ to work for $1 a day
DENVER – A federal judge in Colorado will allow tens of thousands of people housed at an Aurora immigration center who were required to work, in some instances for $1 a day, to form a class to continue a lawsuit against the company that is contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run the facility.
Nine people have filed lawsuits over the past two years against the GEO Group, which is contracted to run the ICE facility in Aurora. All were housed at the facility while awaiting deportation. Continue reading
Undocumented people would be able to use Social Security card to get license in Colo. under bill
DENVER – At least 20 state public health organizations have thrown their support behind a new bill in the state Legislature that would amend the Colorado law that allows undocumented people to obtain a driver’s license or ID card.
Under current law, people living in the state illegally are able to obtain a driver’s license or ID if they can present a government-issued taxpayer ID number at any of six specified DMV locations. The licenses are also more costly ($79) than licenses for residents ($25).
If passed, House Bill 1206 would allow undocumented people to also use a government-issued Social Security Card to both obtain and renew their license.
If undocumented people already have a license or ID under the current rules, they will be able to upgrade to the new card, should the bill pass the governor’s desk.
An estimated 120,000 people are eligible for the special licenses or ID cards, according to the I Drive Colorado campaign – an alliance between immigration and social justice groups in Colorado.
The bill comes at the same time that a report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a nonpartisan nonprofit based in Washington, that says Colorado has an estimated 163,000 undocumented immigrants who contributed $139.5 million to the state in income, property, sales and excise taxes in 2015.
The report says that nationwide, undocumented immigrants pay $11.7 billion in taxes each year, which the nonprofit says would increase by an additional $2.1 billion if they were granted legal status.
House Bill 1206 is set for its first hearing in the House Local Government Committee on March 15. It was introduced Feb. 24 and is sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Boulder, and Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Adams Co.
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Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner talks marijuana, Russian meddling, health care in telephone town hall
DENVER – Colorado Senator Cory Gardner answered questions from 12 Coloradans ranging from marijuana to health care and the administration’s executive orders on immigration in a 45-minute telephone town hall Wednesday morning.
The telephone town hall was an olive branch to frothing constituents who have demanded in recent weeks that the Republican senator hold in-person town hall meetings with his constituents, despite most of his fellow Colorado Congressmen also refraining from doing so. Continue reading
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner to host telephone town hall meeting amid uproar
DENVER – Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner is holding a town hall meeting with constituents after all – he just won’t be there in person.
Gardner, Colorado’s Republican senator, announced Monday he would be holding the first of what he says will be several telephone town halls on Wednesday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time.
It had originally been scheduled for 10 a.m., but was rescheduled Wednesday morning. A stream of the call can be heard here.
“Throughout the year, I’ll be hosting live telephone town halls. During the interactive meetings, you’ll hear from me regarding updates on the work I’ve been doing for fellow Coloradans, and I’ll talk about issues important to my constituents,” a post on Gardner’s website says. “In addition, you will have the opportunity to ask me questions on the phone and online.”
The senator has been under fire for more than a month in Colorado after comments about people protesting at his office being “paid” to do so, but the fervor intensified last week after he spent the week in the state at various meetings with business leaders and others.
But he didn’t show up to a handful of town hall meetings planned by organizers and constituents to discuss a wide range of topics, including health care, energy and President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
One of the town hall meetings used a cardboard cutout of Gardner in his absence.
“Over 14,000 people have signed a petition requesting a meeting; hundreds of people have either called or protested outside his office requesting the same. But so far, Senator Gardner has said no,” said Katie Farnan, a lead organizer with Indivisible Front Range Resistance who organized the town hall.
Gardner’s camp issued a statement on his behalf last week regarding his meetings in Colorado saying he “had the opportunity to meet with and speak to hundreds of Coloradans and discuss issues ranging from the challenges facing the agriculture community to reforming our health care system,” in part.
Gardner is a former U.S. House member who narrowly defeated Democrat incumbent Mark Udall for the senate seat in 2014 by a 48.5 to 46 percent margin.
He has so far voted with President Donald Trump in each possible confirmation or vote, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Colorado’s other senator, Democrat Michael Bennet, also has held no town hall meetings this year.
To sign up to participate in Gardner’s telephone town hall, click here.
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Mother of deaf Myanmar refugee killed by RTD train: ‘My heart is broken’
AURORA, Colo. – The family of a deaf refugee from Myanmar who was killed Feb. 19 by an RTD train during testing on the new R Line says it is heartbroken over his death, which his family says may have been preventable.
Saw Eh, 35, died after he was hit by the train while it was being tested earlier this month. RTD and Aurora Police Department spokespeople have both said Eh walked passed crossing gates and onto the tracks, where he was struck.
But his family says that since he can’t hear or read English, that he did not heed the flashing lights at the crossing gate.
Eh’s mother, Kyin Shwe, spoke to Denver7 Tuesday. She and her family came to Denver as refugees from Myanmar six years ago. Myanmar has sent more than 5,000 refugees to Colorado since 1997, and the country has sent the third-most refugees to the state, compared to other countries, since 1980.
Shwe says her family is suffering greatly after her son’s death.
“I couldn’t even explain the suffering that I’m going through right now,” she said through an interpreter.
She had gone to church that day, and came back to find the rest of her family distraught.
“When I came back from church, I saw a lot of police were in that location,” Shwe told Denver7. “When I came home, his father told me, ‘Your son’s left for a long, long time.’”
She says police confirmed her worst fears.
“I cried a lot,” Shwe said. “They told me, ‘That train accident killed your son.’”
She said that Eh was very helpful around the house and at his church despite his disability.
“He was very honest and very obedient,” Shwe said of her son.
His family says Eh crossed the same train tracks every day at 30th Avenue and Peoria Street, but likely thought there wasn’t a train coming despite what RTD says were warnings.
“Him being deaf, he would assume there was no train coming because before the lights, the arms were flashing and there was no train coming,” said Eh’s brother-in-law, Antonio Turner. “He was assuming that there was no train coming when the lights were going – it’d be just like normal.”
After he was struck by the train, Eh was pronounced dead at University of Colorado Hospital. The Adams County Coroner’s Office says his manner and cause of death is still pending.
The RTD R Line opened days after the accident.
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Colorado’s elected officials, political organizations react to President Trump’s speech to Congress
DENVER – Colorado politicians and political organizations reacted swiftly to President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress Tuesday night.
Here is a roundup of some of the responses received by Denver7:
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo.
“Tonight, President Trump outlined his plan to tackle our country’s challenges. I am encouraged that he prioritized strengthening our economy and boosting job creation as well as addressing our broken health care system. Equally as important, the President highlighted the increasingly complex security threats we’re facing around the globe, including Iran and ISIS. After eight years of a failed foreign policy that led to emboldened regimes and instability in the Middle East, it’s critical that the United States stands up to its adversaries and stands by its allies.
“While headlines may reflect polarization, I remain convinced that more unites us than divides us. Our shared love and respect for democracy continues to make America the greatest nation on earth. Our country is still one that strives to inspire, innovate, invent, and above all – promote and create opportunities. I’m committed to working with this Administration on behalf of Coloradans to strengthen our country and make it easier for every American to succeed.”
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
“I am pleased the President condemned the recent hate crimes and attacks on Jewish community centers and cemeteries. Such actions have no place in the United States or anywhere else.
“I have long said I will work with anyone to rebuild our infrastructure, fix our broken immigration system, educate our children, protect our environment, reduce our debt, and repair our health care system. In the days ahead, I hope the President will start the hard work of building consensus and leave the campaign behind.”
Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo.
“The president’s address was a reminder that America is strong when we stand together and work to achieve common goals. We all want a robust economy, affordable and accessible health care, safe communities, and a better future for our kids. Tonight, the president laid out what his governing vision is for America – much of which Republicans in Congress have already started working on as part of our Better Way Agenda.
“We’re repealing and replacing Obamacare with a health care system that lowers costs, increases choice, and ensures all Americans can access the health services they need. We are taking steps to roll back the federal overreach that has plagued small business owners and entrepreneurs over the last eight years, because a vibrant Main Street is critical to a strong economy. We are also working towards streamlining and simplifying our tax code, so businesses will feel confident investing in the United States and Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money.
“We’re at a pivotal point in our nation’s history, and I look forward to continuing the work that will advance policies that benefit the families of the Third Congressional District of Colorado.”
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.
“I’m eager to work with President Trump to advance conservative policy,” stated Congressman Ken Buck. “Tonight he called for lower taxes for the middle class, a roll back of excessive regulations, a better healthcare system for Americans, and safety and security for our communities. It’s time for America to once again be optimistic.”
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo.
“For the past month, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have been giving us platitudes and promises, but no real plans on anything from health care to immigration to education and beyond. Meanwhile, the president’s actions speak louder than any number of grand pronouncements he made this evening. His draft budget is completely out of line with U.S. values and long-term interests. He talks about things that will be wildly expensive, but then offers no way to pay for them but vague assurances of tax cuts. These things sound great in a speech, but the reality has set in: As president, you have to put in place workable policies.”
Colorado Republican Committee Chairman Steve House
“Finally, a president came before the American people to speak plainly and honestly about the future of our great country. Tonight, President Donald J. Trump outlined an optimistic and bold vision for our country that crosses party lines.
“President Trump has now set lawmakers on a clear path to improve our nation’s health care, protect our borders, require tax and regulation reform and ensure the future of American exceptionalism.
“Since January 20th, President Trump has been fulfilling the promises he made to the American people at a record-setting pace, including bringing back American jobs and nominating a mainstream conservative to the Supreme Court. This evening, he expanded on his plans to pass an aggressive agenda that will solve real problems for real people, make sure every American who needs a good job gets one, and put our nation’s security first.
“It is my sincere hope Senator Michael Bennet and the Democrats will join with President Trump to help fix the problems of this country and Make America Great Again.”
ProgressNow Colorado Executive Director Ian Silverii
“The only thing saving our nation from the abyss today is the fact that Donald Trump is having trouble keeping his promises,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Ian Silverii. “The first month of Trump’s administration has been an historic disaster, as Trump has lurched from crisis to crisis within his administration, only partially successful in his plans to attack abortion rights, working people, immigrants, and clean water. Trump has abandoned his promises to help American workers compete in the global economy, and instead signed our government over to the same Wall Street kingpins who plunged the nation into recession less than a decade ago.”
“President Trump’s false claims about the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, do not comport with the experience of millions of Americans who have gained coverage from President Obama’s signature health care reform law,” said Silverii. “Today, the polls show Americans have finally come to understand the benefits of Obamacare, and Americans have rejected the years of misinformation from the Trump and Colorado’s Sen. Cory Gardner. No replacement for the Affordable Care Act introduced by Republicans would protect as many Americans as the Affordable Care Act, and eliminating the key protections and coverage benefits in the Affordable Care Act could deprive millions of Americans of the care they need. For too many, Trump’s cavalier dismissals of their need for care are a life-or-death proposition.”
“It is inconceivable that Donald Trump, a man who has spent so much time and effort demonizing immigrants, could ever deliver workable comprehensive immigration reform–and Trump failed to articulate anything but a vision of greed and contempt tonight on immigration,” said Silverii. “Trump’s unconscionable attacks on Latin American immigrants and refugees from war-torn nations around the world, which continued in tonight’s address to the shock of many in the chamber and millions watching, have left him completely alienated from the communities he needs to buy in to any immigration reform plan. Expecting immigrant communities to trust Trump after his disparagement of them as violent criminals and terrorists would is impossible.”
“Tonight, President Trump tried the same tricks that he used on the campaign trail last year, and failed,” said Silverii. “Trump is full of grand empty promises to working people, but his actions so far have proven that he doesn’t care about America’s working families or the middle class. The campaign is over, and Trump is learning that being President is more than stringing words together. Tonight’s speech just demonstrated once again that Trump is not up to the job.”
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Denver Muslim leaders say rock thrown through mosque window in latest hate-related incident
DENVER – Leaders at a Denver mosque say someone threw a rock through its windows Sunday just before one of its prayer sessions in the latest instance of vandalism directed at minority communities over the past several months.
The Colorado Muslim Society says someone threw the rock, which was about the size of a fist, through a window at Masjid Abu Bakr mosque on Sunday.
The Muslim Society says it is “working with the proper authorities” to address the incident.
But the alleged vandalism is one of at least a half-dozen possibly hate-related incidents in Colorado since November.
More threats to at least a dozen Jewish community centers were made again Monday after similar throngs of threats over the past several weeks. The threats also came as at least two Jewish cemeteries – in Philadelphia and St. Louis – were vandalized over the past week, bringing damage to hundreds of headstones.
On Jan. 31, the Boulder Community Jewish Center received an unsubstantiated bomb threat, forcing evacuations.
Days earlier, the FBI joined an investigation into signs left at an Aurora immigrant and refugee center that threatened to “blow up” refugees.
On Feb. 7, the FBI was also called in to help El Paso County Sheriff’s Office investigators work to find out whether or not an Indian family in Peyton, Colo. was the victim of a hate crime. Their home was vandalized with eggs, dog feces, bath tissue, and papers scrawled with messages regarding their racial and ethnic background.
In early January, an 83-year-old Longmont man was pressured by neighbors and the city to take a sign down that read, “Muslim’s kill Muslim’s [sic] if they don’t agree. Where does that leave you, ‘infidel.’”
In November, a Denver transgender woman’s SUV was vandalized with swastikas and transgender hate speech.
Also in January, a self-proclaimed radicalized Muslim shot and killed a security officer working as an RTD guard at Union Station, though officials have not linked that shooting to being a hate crime.
And during the week of Valentine’s Day, Ku Klux Klan members dispersed fliers in at least three Grand Junction neighborhoods urging people to join the group, and to “stop homosexuality & race mixing.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 16 “hate groups” in Colorado that were operating in 2015, including several anti-Muslim and neo-Nazi groups. More on those groups can be found here.
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Bill that would have allowed lawsuits against ‘sanctuary city’ officials dies in House committee
DENVER – A bill that would have prohibited the establishment of “sanctuary cities” in Colorado and would have allowed individuals affected by such policies to sue the lawmakers who put the laws in place died in a House committee Wednesday night.
The House State, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee killed House Bill 1134 with a 6-3 party-line vote.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Dave Williams, R-El Paso County, told Denver7 Tuesday the bill would have forced politicians “to have skin in the game.”
“If they create the sanctuary city, then they would have to be responsible for the backlash and the follow to that,” he said.
The bill would have allowed for victims of a crime committed by an undocumented person to file a civil lawsuit or criminal complaint against the official or officials who created the “sanctuary” status in that jurisdiction.
It would have allowed people to seek up to $700,000 per person in injury compensation, and up to $1.98 million if two or more people were injured.
The bill also would have established the crime of “rendering assistance to an illegal alien through a sanctuary jurisdiction,” which would have been a class 4 felony.
But the bill saw staunch opposition from Democrats and other groups.
Kyle Huelsman, the policy manager for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, called the bill unconstitutional.
“This is one of the most anti-immigrant and xenophobic bills that we’ve seen in the last decade,” Huelsman told Denver7. “Rep. Williams and (co-sponsor) Sen. Vicky Marble have gone to new extremes to push a radical anti-immigrant agenda in the State Capitol.”
Rep. Williams fired back at the Democrats on the committee who killed his bill in a news release.
“Democrats sent a clear message to Coloradans they are unwilling to accept any responsibility for policies that inhibit criminal illegal aliens from being reported to federal immigration authorities,” Williams said in the release. “If elected officials want to create a sanctuary city, they should be held accountable if those policies directly result in known criminals being released rather than deported.”
Boulder is the only city in Colorado that has officially proclaimed itself as a “sanctuary city.”
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