Thanks Oregon! Colorado sheriffs follow example by ending ICE detainers
Colorado Sheriffs have followed the examples set in Oregon and Pennsylvania by determining that detainer holds requested by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) are not mandatory, and that holding persons beyond their required jail time is unconstitutional. This decision acknowledges that ICE detainers lead to unjust imprisonments and deportations, and takes a step towards reconciliation between communities and local police forces.
The move comes after a wave of Oregon counties decided that they would no longer honor ICE holds. Check out our full list of Oregon Counties that no longer honor ICE detainers, updated May 2014.
The “recent court decision in Oregon is a game changer regarding ICE holds on detainers,” said Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, as reported by the Associated Press.
The federal court decision on April 11th, 2014, stated that Clackamas County in Oregon had violated Constitutional rights by detaining an Oregon woman on an ICE hold. The decision has caused ramifications all over the state, and country, as county sheriff departments begin to recognize that ICE requests are just that–optional requests.
Detainers are requests made by ICE to local police stations, asking the station to hold persons that ICE suspects to be undocumented immigrants for up to 48 hours after their allotted jail time.
But collaboration between ICE officials and local police departments generates fear and weakens the relationship between police officers and community members. In February, ICE admitted in an official statement that ICE detainers are not mandatory.
We applaud Colorado for their step towards public safety and equality, and hope that the ICE developments in Oregon continue to make waves throughout the country. ICE detainers are unconstitutional, irrational, and keep communities cold!
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