Colorado’s Sanctuary Laws Are Protecting Criminals - SB25-047 Puts Law-Abiding Citizens First!

As the State Representative for District 45, I stand in unwavering support of Senate Bill 25-047, a bill that restores common sense and accountability to Colorado's law enforcement agencies. This legislation is not about politics; it is about ensuring the safety of every law-abiding Colorado resident by empowering law enforcement to do their jobs without unnecessary state-imposed barriers.

For too long, Colorado has been shackled by laws that have turned our state into a sanctuary for illegal migrants who commit crimes. These laws do not protect the hardworking men and women of our communities; they protect criminals who operate with impunity under the veil of sanctuary policies. 

Senate Bill 25-047 seeks to correct this dangerous precedent by allowing law enforcement to communicate freely with federal immigration authorities when they arrest individuals who are in this country illegally and have committed crimes. This bill does not encourage or mandate racial profiling or mass deportations; it simply ensures that criminals who are unlawfully present in our communities do not escape justice due to arbitrary state restrictions.

Some may attempt to frame this as a partisan issue, but that is simply not the case. Governor Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston have recently expressed their support for deporting violent illegal criminals. It is encouraging to see this recognition from leaders across the political spectrum that the current approach is unsustainable. This bill aligns with that common-sense perspective, reinforcing that law and order must take precedence over political agendas.

Opponents of Senate Bill 25-047 argue that nothing currently prevents law enforcement from communicating with ICE. However, existing state laws have created a convoluted patchwork of restrictions that discourage cooperation, forcing law enforcement agencies to tiptoe around legal landmines rather than focusing on public safety.

Sheriffs across the state, including Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekley, have emphasized that current policies hinder their ability to keep communities safe. Every day, our jails house individuals who should have been flagged for removal, but because of existing laws, local law enforcement is prohibited from taking the necessary steps to ensure these criminals do not return to our streets.

The need for this legislation is clear. We have witnessed firsthand the consequences of failed policies. The rise in gang activity, such as the Venezuelan gang members brazenly engaging in criminal acts in Aurora, is a direct result of a system that fails to hold people accountable. When law enforcement is prevented from working with ICE, it emboldens criminals and erodes the safety of our communities. Every crime committed by an illegal migrant that could have been prevented through better enforcement is a direct failure of our state government to uphold its most basic responsibility: protecting its citizens.

This is not an attack on immigrants who come here legally and work hard to contribute to our society. Quite the opposite - it is a stand for law and order, ensuring that those who break our laws do not get a free pass while law-abiding residents shoulder the consequences. It is about fairness, about upholding justice, and about ensuring that everyone plays by the same rules.

To those who oppose this bill, I ask: What other federal law enforcement agency are we legally prohibited from working with? Would we ever accept a law that forbids local law enforcement from cooperating with the FBI, the DEA, or the ATF? Why should ICE be any different? If we disagree with federal immigration laws, then the proper course of action is to change them through Congress. Until then, it is not the role of the Colorado legislature to obstruct enforcement and place the burden of criminal activity on our communities.

On February 25th, this bill will be heard, and the people of Colorado will have a choice: continue down the path of failed sanctuary policies or stand up for the safety and security of every law-abiding resident. I urge my colleagues to join me in choosing the latter. The time for political games is over - it is time for common sense, accountability, and justice.

I proudly stand in support of Senate Bill 25-047 because the people of Colorado deserve nothing less.
Location: 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, CO 80109, USA

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