The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently removed a contentious list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” from its website, sparking significant backlash following its initial publication.
Among the localities listed was Aurora, Colorado, which was included for only one day before being taken down.
Despite the brief inclusion of Aurora, two of its bordering counties remained listed until the page was ultimately removed.
The DHS’s actions were part of the Trump administration’s broader agenda to identify communities perceived as uncooperative with federal immigration enforcement.
DHS announced that jurisdictions included on the list would receive formal notifications regarding their alleged noncompliance with federal immigration laws and any potential violations of federal statutes.
The list surfaced online on a Thursday but displayed a “Page Not Found” error just a few days later on Sunday.
In the wake of criticism, officials from various jurisdictions, regardless of political affiliation, voiced their discontent with the list, asserting it lacked credibility.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the pushback during an appearance on Fox News, acknowledging the anger from officials in cities like Aurora.
However, she noted that those cities might not rely solely on statutory language to determine their designation status, asserting they still provide sanctuary that aids criminals.
Despite the claims made by the DHS regarding the designation of sanctuary jurisdictions, critics pointed to numerous inaccuracies and misspellings within the list.
Aurora’s inclusion on the list was met with immediate refutation from local officials.
After a brief appearance on the list, city lawmaker Jurinsky took to social media to announce her success in advocating for Aurora’s removal from this designation.
“I understand that Aurora was originally listed as a sanctuary city,” she stated.
Jurinsky expressed gratitude for the communication and assistance she received in making this happen, although she did not reply to subsequent requests for further comment.
The city spokesperson, Ryan Luby, reiterated prior statements from Aurora lawmakers who have continually refuted the characterization of their city as a sanctuary.
In his statement, Luby emphasized that the Aurora City Council had voted to affirm this position both in 2017 and again in February 2024.
“We work with our federal partners and follow federal law and directives as they apply to our community.
Nothing has changed,” Luby added.
When questioned about how Aurora was removed from the list and why, DHS officials merely indicated that the list is subject to ongoing revision.
“Designation of a sanctuary jurisdiction is based on the evaluation of numerous factors, including self-identification as a Sanctuary Jurisdiction, noncompliance with Federal law enforcement in enforcing immigration laws, restrictions on information sharing, and legal protections for illegal aliens,” the official remarked.
The DHS’s approach to listing jurisdictions is under ongoing review, with updates made frequently.
The State of Colorado, alongside Denver and two of Aurora’s overlapping counties, continued to be included on the DHS’s list.
In response to the designation, spokesperson for Governor Jared Polis, Eric Maruyama, maintained that Colorado is not a sanctuary state.
“This designation by DHS is completely incorrect,” Maruyama declared.
He asserted that Colorado and its component cities focus on public safety while maintaining collaborative relationships with federal law enforcement agencies.
Local and state law enforcement prioritize the apprehension of dangerous criminals, regardless of their immigration status, he further noted.
However, further insights into the rationale behind the DHS’s determinations remain undisclosed, as Maruyama mentioned the lack of guidance from DHS.
Jurinsky has previously indicated her connections to the Trump administration, asserting them in public meetings.
Her attendance at a Trump rally in October, held at the Gaylord Hotel in Aurora, was marked by her support for the administration’s stance against Venezuelan gang immigrants, which Trump had alleged were predominant in both Aurora and Colorado.
During this rally, Trump announced a nationwide mass deportation initiative dubbed “Operation Aurora.”
For weeks, Trump had propagated unfounded claims about immigrants in states such as Ohio harming domesticated animals and insisted that immigrant populations were overwhelming Aurora.
The Aurora Police Department maintains a careful balance, cooperating with federal immigration authorities in the detention of immigrants involved in criminal activities, while also clarifying that they do not inquire about immigration status during routine public engagement.
As the initial list gained traction, Arapahoe County officials expressed confusion about their inclusion, stating they had not received any notification from the DHS.
“We are unclear as to why Arapahoe County appears on this list,” said county spokesperson Jill McGranahan.
“We comply with federal laws and uphold both the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions.
Until we receive more information or official guidance from DHS, it would be inappropriate for us to speculate or provide further comment.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of the DHS’s actions and their impact on local jurisdictions remain to be seen.
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