Denver Mayor Stands Up for Protesters, Blocks ICE on City Grounds

A new city order gives Denver police the power to shield peaceful demonstrators from federal immigration agents. The mayor’s directive also bars ICE officials from using any municipal property for enforcement work.

Context

This move follows a wave of actions by Democratic leaders in response to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration tactics. The federal government has been criticized for using ICE to target immigrants, especially after two U.S. citizens were shot dead by federal agents in Minnesota last January—an incident that sparked outrage from human‑rights groups and prompted local officials to seek ways to protect residents from similar violence.

Key Provisions

• De‑escalation Mandate: Local police must apply de‑escalation techniques whenever ICE agents appear on city property.
• Property Restrictions: ICE officials cannot use municipal property for enforcement activities.
• Accountability Measures: If an ICE officer uses excessive force against a Denver resident, the city will detain and remove that officer.
• Standards of Conduct: Local officers are held to the same standard of conduct as federal agents, emphasizing fairness and accountability.

Comparative Actions

• Minneapolis: Mayor Jacob Frey already signed a rule stopping federal agencies from staging raids in city parking lots or vacant land.
• Denver’s Stance: Mirrors Minneapolis’ approach, aiming to keep protests safe and preserve free‑speech rights.

Federal Reaction

The White House has urged local governments to cooperate with ICE, claiming that resistance is “doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.” Critics argue that such federal crackdowns create a climate of fear and undermine due process for all citizens.

Broader Debate

These actions reflect a broader national debate over:

• Immigration enforcement
• Federal authority
• Protection of civil liberties in public spaces

The city’s new order is a significant step toward balancing federal enforcement with local protections of free expression and community safety.