By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
Mesa County commissioners want federal dollars tied to immigration enforcement—and they’re backing Rep. Jeff Crank’s bill to make it happen.
During their April 15 administrative hearing, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a letter backing a federal immigration bill that would strip transportation funding from sanctuary jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The letter, addressed to U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, voiced support for H.R. 1984—the Blocking Lawless Open Border Cities (BLOC) Act. The bill halts funding of federal transportation dollars going to cities and counties that refuse to notify ICE at least 48 hours before they release an illegal immigrant. Rep. Lauren Boebert is a co-sponsor.
“This bill is a step toward holding sanctuary cities accountable for ignoring immigration laws,” the commissioners wrote. “Withholding these funds will help reduce the indirect costs associated with illegal immigration and better align federal resources with jurisdictions that are committed to public safety.”
In a statement accompanying the bill’s introduction, Crank said the measure is aimed at ending federal handouts to noncompliant cities.
“It’s simple. Cities and counties that do not support federal law enforcement shouldn’t have their coffers filled with federal dollars,” Crank said. “The BLOC Act sends a clear message: the Biden-Harris era of open borders and free government handouts to illegal immigrants is over.”
As reported by Colorado Public Radio, Colorado agencies and nonprofits have received over $300 million in Department of Justice grants since 2021. A recent memo from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi suggests that funding may now be in jeopardy for jurisdictions that resist cooperation with ICE.
Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell welcomed the commissioners’ move and said interagency coordination is essential to local public safety.
“The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office works extensively with both State and Federal partners to keep our community safe. Legislation, policies or rules that prevent communication and collaboration with Law Enforcement partners, such as ICE, weakens our ability to collectively resolve public safety concerns,” Rowell said.
But not everyone in the community supported the decision. Tom Acker, a retired Spanish professor at Colorado Mesa University and co-founder of Western Slope Against Trafficking, spoke in opposition during public comment. Acker ran for county commissioner in 2024 as a Democrat and has been active in immigration-related advocacy work.
“The BLOC Act blackmails municipalities and counties to collaborate with ICE to get highway dollars,” Acker said. “What constituency are you playing to to create fear in our community among our most vulnerable members?”
He also claimed the bill was “drafted to undermine the legislation that the Colorado State House Dems have introduced… which will place privacy restrictions on third-party access to information.”
The commissioners, however, stood firm in their support of Crank’s bill.
“Illegal immigration has created serious and ongoing challenges in Colorado, including in Mesa County,” the letter continued. “Communities throughout our state… are seeing an uptick in criminal activity tied to individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S. These crimes not only threaten the safety and well-being of our residents, but they also place immense burdens on our law enforcement officers and the judicial system.”
The letter ended with a firm endorsement of the bill’s goals.
“We support the BLOC Act and stand with you as you continue to improve public safety in our communities.”