In early 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensified operations in Denver, Colorado, aligning with a broader federal push to prioritize the removal of undocumented immigrants, particularly those labeled as “the worst of the worst” by officials. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized this stance, stating, “Follow the law and you’ll find opportunity. Break it and you’ll find consequences.” Yet, reports from Denver reveal a more complex reality, where many detainees lack criminal records, raising questions about the focus and impact of these enforcement actions.
The Scope of ICE Operations
On February 5, 2025, ICE conducted high-profile raids across Aurora, a Denver suburb, targeting what officials described as public safety threats, including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The operation involved multiple federal agencies, including the FBI and CBP, and was publicized through posts on X by ICE’s Denver office and Noem herself. While officials framed these actions as targeting dangerous criminals, data suggests a broader net. By March, ICE reported 32,809 enforcement arrests nationwide in the first 50 days of the Trump administration, a sharp increase from the previous year’s totals.
In Colorado, detentions included individuals with no criminal history. Among them were two Mauritanian asylum seekers who fled persecution, alleging enslavement or police brutality in their home country, and a Mexican man who had worked at a market on Tower Road since 2016 without any legal infractions. Another case involved Jeanette Vizguerra, a Mexican activist with a minor, decades-old criminal record, who has been named among the nation’s most influential figures but remains a target for ICE.
Voices from Detention
One Mauritanian detainee, held for nearly two months at the GEO Group’s Aurora ICE Processing Center, spoke out during a March interview: “I know why they keep me here. They just need to deport people, and I’m not doing anything wrong.” Released on asylum parole, he highlighted a sentiment echoed by advocates—that ICE’s actions often prioritize deportation quotas over public safety. The Aurora facility, a privately run center, has faced scrutiny for its conditions, with past reports citing inadequate medical care and overcrowding.
Community and Official Reactions
Local advocates argue that detaining non-criminal immigrants undermines community trust and diverts resources from addressing actual threats. “If the goal is safety, why target people who’ve built lives here and pose no harm?” asked a Denver-based immigration lawyer in a recent statement to CPR News. Meanwhile, ICE defends its approach, stating that operations focus on those who “undermine the safety of our communities.” However, the agency’s reluctance to release detailed arrest data fuels skepticism, with critics noting that only select names are publicized, often to highlight high-profile cases.
Broader Implications
The Denver operations reflect a national trend. ICE facilities reached 109% capacity in February 2025, holding nearly 42,000 detainees, prompting releases of some non-criminal migrants due to space constraints. Reports indicate that over half of those detained were initially apprehended at the southern border, not in interior cities like Denver, suggesting a mix of new arrivals and long-term residents in custody. The administration’s push for transparency, championed by Noem, has been overshadowed by accusations of performative enforcement, with videos of raids drawing both praise and criticism on X.
Looking Ahead
As ICE plans to expand detention capacity, possibly using military bases, Denver’s experience raises critical questions about enforcement priorities. Are these actions truly about safety, or do they reflect political pressures to demonstrate tough immigration policies? For now, individuals like the Mauritanian asylum seekers and the Tower Road worker await uncertain futures, caught in a system where the line between “dirtbag” and “neighbor” often seems blurred.
