Anti-ICE Activists Aid Migrant Fugitive’s Escape in Denver, Stirring Sanctuary City Debate

In a stunning turn of events in Denver, Colorado, anti-ICE activists from the group Colorado Rapid Response have disrupted a federal operation, allowing an illegal migrant, Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, wanted in Italy for child rape, to slip through the fingers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. On Friday, ICE reported that the group’s social media posts, detailing the presence of agents and their vehicles, tipped off the fugitive, enabling his escape.

This incident shines a spotlight on the growing tension between local policies and federal immigration enforcement. Denver, a self-proclaimed sanctuary city, has spent a jaw-dropping $356 million on migrant services, while Mayor Mike Johnston has openly pledged to obstruct ICE operations, even stationing police to block deportations. A 2017 city ordinance further limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities, creating a haven for individuals like Leon-Deras.

The interference didn’t stop in Denver. Across the country, anti-ICE protests are escalating. In Portland, activists recently attempted to blockade an ICE facility, resorting to fireworks and lasers against law enforcement. In Los Angeles, a mob set cars ablaze and hurled rocks, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard. These actions, fueled by opposition to Trump’s promised mass deportation efforts, highlight a deepening divide over immigration policy.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that 75% of illegal aliens arrested under the current administration have criminal charges or convictions, underscoring the stakes of these disruptions. ICE has urged the public to report sightings of Leon-Deras but cautioned against approaching him, emphasizing the danger he poses.

As communities grapple with the balance between compassion and security, incidents like this raise tough questions about the consequences of obstructing law enforcement in the name of ideology.