Jordan Confronts Denver Mayor Over Sanctuary City Policies Following ICE Agent Assault
A heated exchange unfolded during a House Oversight Committee hearing as Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio grilled Denver Mayor Mike Johnston regarding the city’s sanctuary policies. Jordan specifically targeted the case of Abraham Gonzalez, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant and alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang, whose release under Denver’s policies allegedly led to the assault of federal immigration officers.
Jordan’s line of questioning centered on Denver’s decision to release Gonzalez despite an ICE detainer request and the city’s alleged failure to provide adequate notification to federal agents. According to Jordan, the Denver Sheriff’s Department provided a mere one-hour notice to ICE before releasing Gonzalez, who was facing charges of assault, menacing, and vehicle theft.
Following his release, ICE agents attempted to apprehend Gonzalez, leading to a confrontation in which one agent was reportedly assaulted. ICE has long criticized sanctuary city policies, arguing that they hinder law enforcement cooperation and pose a threat to both agents and the public.
Jordan emphasized the perceived absurdity of the situation. He highlighted that Gonzalez had been in custody for 345 days, yet the city was unwilling to hold him for an additional 48 hours to allow for a smooth transfer to ICE custody. Instead, the release was executed with minimal notice, forcing ICE agents to apprehend Gonzalez in a public parking lot.
The Congressman pointed to the release slip provided to ICE by the Denver Sheriff’s Department, noting that the listed release location was simply "the streets." He accused Johnston of prioritizing sanctuary city policies over the safety of law enforcement officers and the broader community.
Jordan directly challenged Johnston’s earlier testimony, in which the Mayor repeatedly emphasized his commitment to the safety of Denver residents. "You used the word ‘safe,’ ‘safer’ or ‘safety’ 13 times," Jordan said, adding, "That’s a lie. It was not safer for the ICE agents who are part of your community. No way was it safer."
Jordan contrasted the city’s handling of Gonzalez’s release with a more cooperative approach. He suggested that the safest and most logical course of action would have been to hold Gonzalez in custody and allow ICE agents to take him into custody within the jail facility. He argued that Denver’s refusal to do so was a direct consequence of its sanctuary city policies.
Johnston defended Denver’s sanctuary policies, asserting that they do not shield individuals from law enforcement but rather provide services to the immigrant community. He noted that six ICE agents were present when Gonzalez was released and that the illegal immigrant was allowed to walk freely into a parking lot.
However, Jordan dismissed Johnston’s explanation, emphasizing the consequences of the city’s actions. "Guess what happened in that parking lot… one of the ICE officers got assaulted, didn’t he? They had to tase the guy, didn’t they?" Jordan pressed.
Jordan argued that the incident perfectly illustrated the inherent flaws and dangers of sanctuary city policies, alleging that they prioritize adherence to ideological principles over the safety and well-being of law enforcement and the public.
While Johnston expressed a willingness to consider adjustments to the city’s release procedures, he maintained that the assault on the ICE agent was an isolated incident. He insisted that it was the first instance of an ICE agent being assaulted during an arrest in Denver.
Jordan remained unconvinced, questioning why the city would choose to release Gonzalez in a public parking lot with minimal notice when a more controlled transfer within the jail facility was possible. He reiterated his belief that the city’s sanctuary city policies were the primary obstacle to effective cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
"You can release him in the parking lot, give ICE one-hour notice and they got to send six officers to arrest this guy, or you can say, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to hold him. You come in and bring two officers in and turn him in,’" Jordan said. "Why not do it that way? You know why you don’t do it that way? Because you’re a sanctuary city. This is the whole point."
The confrontation between Jordan and Johnston highlights the ongoing debate surrounding sanctuary city policies and their impact on immigration enforcement and public safety. Republican lawmakers have long criticized these policies, arguing that they undermine federal law and create a haven for criminals. Supporters of sanctuary cities, on the other hand, maintain that they promote trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, leading to safer and more inclusive cities. The debate is likely to continue as immigration remains a central issue in American politics.
