Colorado Congressman Evans Pushes for Targeted Immigration Enforcement to Combat State's Rising Crime Rate
A Colorado lawmaker is leading efforts to refocus federal immigration enforcement priorities, citing concerns about the Centennial State's alarming rise in crime rates and the need to target dangerous criminals rather than non-violent immigrants.
Rep. Gabe Evans, representing Colorado's 8th Congressional District, joined five other Republican lawmakers this week in urging Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to concentrate their limited resources on removing criminals who pose immediate threats to Colorado communities.
Local Impact on Colorado Communities
The push comes as Colorado faces significant public safety challenges, with Evans highlighting that Colorado has become the second most dangerous state in the nation. The congressman's initiative directly addresses concerns from local law enforcement and Colorado families about criminal activity tied to cartels and organized crime.
"The point of the letter is to make sure we're doing what we said we were going to do all along: crush the criminals and cartels who are making Colorado the second most dangerous state in the nation so we can work on a path for people who are immigrating the right way," Evans stated.
Growing Tensions in Denver Metro
The congressional letter arrives amid mounting tensions in the Denver metro area, where recent immigration enforcement actions have sparked protests. According to Denver Police reports, 18 protesters were arrested during Tuesday night demonstrations in downtown Denver.
Local Advocacy Response
The initiative has drawn mixed reactions from Colorado advocacy groups. Raquel Lane-Arellano, representing the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, expressed concern about the approach:
"Rep. Gabe Evans wants to decide who from our communities deserves to stay, but tearing families apart has never made our country stronger... He should push for real solutions — like a pathway to citizenship and fixing the broken immigration system once and for all."
Personal Connection to Immigration
Evans brings a personal perspective to the immigration debate - his grandfather was a Mexican immigrant who gained U.S. citizenship through military service during World War II. Earlier this year, Evans introduced legislation to prevent Colorado state and local governments from restricting cooperation with federal immigration officials.
Next Steps
The congressional group has requested specific data from ICE, including:
- Number of deported immigrants with criminal convictions since January
- Details of criminal charges among deportees
- Clarification of enforcement priorities
The lawmakers have requested responses from ICE by the end of the month, as Colorado communities continue to grapple with the complex intersection of immigration enforcement and public safety concerns.
This article contains AI-generated content and reflects opinion only. Readers are encouraged to verify all information independently before drawing conclusions or making decisions.
