Law Enforcement Agencies Disagree over Escape of Detainees from Immigration Center amid Power Failure: ICE and Colorado Police
Rewritten Article:
In an unusual turn of events, two detainees reportedly managed to slip through the cracks of a Denver-area immigration detention facility during a power outage. The men, hailing from Mexico and Venezuela, vanished mysteriously, disturbing law enforcement and sparking a hunt that is still ongoing.
Initial reports alleged that immigration officials were promptly notified, but Aurora police disagreed, stating they weren't alerted until early Wednesday morning—more than two hours after the detainees were discovered missing and over four hours since they were suspected to have vanished.
In a statement given to the Associated Press, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) admitted that the men, who had previously been incarcerated on unspecified charges, were still at large. Adding to the intrigue, ICE claimed they had informed law enforcement about the escape but received no help in the search.
The confusion and controversy revolving around this incident stem from sanctuary policies implemented in places like Denver that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Colorado also has state laws that limits such cooperation.
However, Aurora police made it clear they have a cooperative agreement with the GEO Group, the private company managing the detention center, to assist during escapes, but only if they are notified within 15 minutes of the escape.
The incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday when a facility staffer called 911 to report a potential escape. Despite this warning, the information provided wasn't thorough, prompting a police commander to call back and request more details. By the time an officer arrived at the facility around 5 a.m., the men had already vanished, assumedly through a back door leading to a soccer field.
"Accurate and timely information is crucial for effective response. Regrettably, that didn’t happen, as shown by the circumstances surrounding this incident," Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain stated.
Chamberlain has previously shown a willingness to work with ICE, collaborating on the department's probe into a violent December kidnapping and assault that reportedly involved members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
As for the state, a notice was circulated among law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the missing men. Yet, ICE didn't request additional assistance, as per a statement from Democratic Gov. Jared Polis's spokesperson, Ally Sullivan.
Sullivan further emphasized, "We urge ICE to be transparent with the state and the public about this incident, including whether the escapees pose any danger to the public."
ICE did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, the GEO Group, the facility's manager, hinted that the power outage might have disrupted parts of the security system, enabling the detainees to escape through a perimeter fence. "We are working diligently to ensure that all necessary corrective actions are taken to prevent a recurrence of such occurrences," said a spokesperson for the company.
- The law enforcement and ICE are under scrutiny for mishandling the situation, as lawmakers are concerned about the suspected kidnapping of two detainees who escaped from a Denver-area immigration detention facility.
- Aurora police have emphasized the importance of accurate and timely information for effective response, as the initial report of the suspected escape was not thorough, potentially contributing to the failed attempt to apprehend the two detainees.
- Given the ongoing search for the two escaped detainees, lawmakers are urging ICE to be transparent about the incident and whether the men pose any danger to the public, emphasizing the need for open communication and cooperation between state agencies and ICE.
