BREAKING: Reports confirm a surge in federal immigration enforcement targeting undocumented individuals in Durango, Colorado. Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center has issued urgent warnings following multiple community reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, which appear to be intensifying over recent weeks.
Community members are expressing alarm as ICE agents reportedly target immigrant workers at local construction sites and food businesses. Enrique Orozco-Perez, co-executive director of Compañeros, stated, “Employers are telling us that ICE is targeting their sites and going after people with no criminal records – good, hardworking people who have been here for a long time.” This heightened scrutiny not only affects those directly targeted but poses a threat to the entire local economy, as Orozco-Perez warns, “The more ICE disrupts life in this town, the more that will disrupt the rest of the economy.”
Compañeros reports that some local employers have been informed by immigration agents to avoid hiring workers from Mexico, opting instead for U.S. citizens. This development raises serious concerns about workforce stability in sectors critical to Durango’s economy, especially during the peak tourism months.
In light of these alarming developments, Compañeros is calling for immediate action from Durango’s elected officials. They urge for stronger protections for immigrant communities and greater transparency from the city’s newly formed immigration task force. The organization is particularly concerned about the treatment of volunteer “confirmers” from the Colorado Rapid Response Network, who document immigration enforcement activities. Several confirmers have reported harassment, including officers showing up at their workplaces.
Orozco-Perez emphasized the need for the city council to affirm that lawful activities by residents and volunteers will be safeguarded. He stated, “We’re talking about tourism and regular everyday shoppers, because we’re going to lose workers who are there day in and day out – who clean our hotel rooms, cook our food, and do our landscaping.”
Compañeros has highlighted ongoing issues regarding the selection and operation of the Immigration Task Force, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency. A proposal submitted to the city’s Community Relations Commission and City Council remains under review with no updates for months, raising questions about the inclusiveness of the process.
The organization insists that its expertise as a regional stakeholder must be recognized and included in discussions about immigration policy in Durango. Orozco-Perez commented, “They may have their qualms with me – the executive director – but there’s other folks within our organization that are ready to be in that space and work collaboratively.”
As this situation unfolds, community members and local leaders are urged to stay informed and engaged. The implications of increased ICE activity are profound, affecting the lives of many families and the economic fabric of Durango.
What happens next? Compañeros is actively seeking dialogue with city officials and encourages community members to voice their concerns. The organization’s call to action is a reminder that immigration enforcement has far-reaching impacts, not just on those directly affected, but on the community as a whole.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.
