(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo) — The aftermath of Sunday morning’s DEA operation in Colorado Springs is still unfolding in more ways than one. The DEA says they detained 114 illegal immigrants, but one question that remains is how many cases this will add to the already backed-up Colorado immigration court system?
David McDivitt, attorney and CEO of McDivitt Law Firm, tells FOX21 News it may not grow as much as people think.
“Their case may never get in front of an immigration judge to begin with,” McDivitt said.
McDivitt says some detained on Sunday may not be protected from a recent Colorado judge’s ruling to block those facing deportation under the Alien Enemies Act. It’s because the Federal Government does not need to use the act for those who have been here less than two years and entered the U.S. illegally.
“If they’ve been here longer than two years, they’re really not going to be subject to that expedited removal,” McDivitt said.
During President Trump’s first week, Colorado had around 78,000 immigrant cases pending. Right now, it’s unclear how much that number has risen during his first 100 days. Meanwhile, reactions to Sunday’s operation continue.
The El Paso County Democratic Party condemned Sunday’s operation, saying in a statement on Monday: “We stand in solidarity with local and state immigration rights groups who have called attention to these abuses.”
Congressman Jeff Crank cited the president’s policies on immigration as a reason the DEA was able to detain so many people.
“These are folks that should not be in the United States,” Crank said. “The president’s done a fantastic job of making sure that that we’re working on that.”
The Colorado Immigrants’ Rights Coalition also released a statement today condemning Sunday’s operation in their own statement, saying: “ICE, DEA, and rogue local law enforcement are undermining constitutional rights and safe city policies in Colorado.”
The coalition will host a protest tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in front of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado Springs.
