In the News
House Democrats hammer ICE after Aurora facility visit
Denver,
August 12, 2025
Members of Colorado's Democratic congressional delegation say a visit to Aurora's ICE detention facility on Monday left them with more questions than answers. The big picture: U.S. Reps. Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen say the Trump administration continues to obstruct their ability to conduct oversight. State of play: The members gave seven days' notice before their Monday visit — a trip that drew heightened scrutiny due to an ongoing lawsuit filed by Crow and Neguse, who allege the administration unlawfully blocked previous congressional visits. Friction point: Crow, whose 6th Congressional District includes Aurora, says the delegation's most pressing question is what percentage of people detained have criminal backgrounds, a figure he says the facility staff did not provide. Arrests of noncriminals are rising sharply under Trump's deportation surge, which started after he took office in January. The facility has about 1,200 detainees, Crow says, which is close to its average, though staff did not provide an exact number. Context: During intake, people are classified by colors to designate their security risk, Crow tells us — suggesting ICE knows how many detainees do and do not have criminal backgrounds. ICE is now requiring members of Congress to sign a privacy release before speaking with a detainee, which DeGette characterized as another way the administration is "stopping" lawmakers from visiting detainees. The other side: ICE on Monday did not respond to a request for comment. The intrigue: DeGette says she met with immigrant rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra, who's been in ICE custody since March 17. "She's mad," DeGette tells us. DeGette gave Vizguerra, whom DeGette says was targeted due to her advocacy, a copy of a bill she filed last month to allow Vizguerra to stay lawfully in the U.S. while her case is pending. |