By Nicole C. Brambila | The Denver Gazette
Federal immigration agents on Friday attempting to arrest a Salvadoran fugitive accused of child rape in Italy were thwarted when an anti-ICE group allegedly alerted him of the raid, allowing him to evade capture, federal authorities.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Saturday accused members of the Colorado Rapid Response Network on social media of interfering in the attempted arrest of Jose Reyes Leon-Deras.
“Groups like this interfere with ICE’s ability to keep communities safe,” ICE said in an X post Saturday. “Thanks to Colorado Rapid Response members, a fugitive child rapist evaded our arrest.
“We target specific aliens for GOOD reasons! Do YOU want a child rapist in your neighborhood?!”
It’s unclear whether Leon-Deras is accused or convicted of child rape.
ICE officials declined to comment Monday.
A post on the Colorado Rapid Response Network’s Facebook page on June 20 appeared to show that members did have a dust up with ICE agents the day authorities sought to arrest Leon-Deras.
“Volunteers confronted the ICE agents and used a bullhorn to share their rights, ICE called the police to try and intimidate our volunteers,” the group’s FB page Saturday said. “Police arrived took the report and found no reason to ticket or arrest our volunteers who were not breaking any laws.”
Formed after President Donald Trump assumed office in 2016, the network is a statewide group organized to respond to ICE enforcement actions, saying its legal observers confirm and document federal raids. The group’s intention is to keep families together, according to the organization’s website.
In its social media post, the group also said that ICE agents did not provide “the person being targeted” with a warrant.
No one was detained, according to the Colorado Rapid Response Network.
Raquel Lane-Arellano, a Colorado Rapid Response Network spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a phone call and email seeking comment Monday.
Colorado law prohibits law enforcement from arresting or detaining individuals solely based on an ICE civil immigration detainer request. State law also limits the sharing of personal, non-public information with federal immigration authorities.
The Trump administration has targeted Democratic leaders in sanctuary jurisdictions by withholding federal funds and pursuing legal action.
Generally speaking, a “sanctuary jurisdiction” has adopted laws that discourage or prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston — along with the mayors of Chicago and Boston — was called to testify before Congress earlier this year to defend his policies and the city’s response to the influx of immigrants.
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