Denver Westword | The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado

Colorado Congressman Sues Trump After Denial at ICE Detention Facility

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jul 30, 2025

Jason Crow spearheaded a successful bill in 2019 that allows all congressmembers to access immigration detention facilities without notice.

U.S. Representative Gabe Evans Misrepresented Family’s Immigration History

By Chase Woodruff, Colorado Newsline

Jul 22, 2025

In defense of mass deportation, the pro-Trump Republican from Colorado has long said his grandfather immigrated ‘the legal way.’ Documents show otherwise.

ICE Invaded Our Community to Grab a Good Neighbor

By Barbara Wright

Jul 20, 2025

Oscar had been living in the neighborhood for seven years and had no criminal record, not even a traffic ticket.

Mexico Sees Massive Spike in Citizenship and Visa Requests From Denver — and Scams

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jul 16, 2025

"We've seen a huge increase, at least 400 percent just this year, mainly because of the political situation."

Miscarriage of Justice: Donald Trump’s War on Pregnant Migrants

By Stephen Lemons

Jul 4, 2025

Kept in awful conditions by ICE, Rubia Morales-Alfaro lost a pregnancy. In Trump’s America, there's no mercy for migrant moms.

Lawsuit Halts Governor Orders to Help ICE, Polis Hints at More to Come

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 27, 2025

"I hope we hear from Governor Polis soon that he will not direct any state employees to comply with this subpoena."

Hacked Denver Traffic Boards Tell Drivers "Bring the Heat Fuck ICE"

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 23, 2025

"I know Denver is holding firm, but this was another f-word altogether."

a series of presidents-as-dominos — from bill clinton to george bush to barack obama to joe biden — knock into each other, pushing a trump domino onto a small family in the desert

How Clinton and Obama Helped Build Trump’s Mass Deportation Machine

By Stephen Lemons

Jun 23, 2025

Donald Trump didn’t invent racist immigration policy. For decades, both major parties built the system he’s now weaponizing.

Why Legalizing Immigrants Doesn’t Benefit the America We Know

By Okany Rivas

Jun 15, 2025

"Legalizing us would mean admitting we deserve more. It would mean recognizing our humanity and our right to live without fear."

El Taco de Mexico outside of a restaurant

El Taco de Mexico Reopens After Problems with Water, not ICE

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 12, 2025

The beloved taqueria closed after a major plumbing leak that had regulars worried.

Denver's ICE Out! Protest Spills Into Streets, Clashes With Police

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 11, 2025

As the night went on, altercations with law enforcement increased.

Governor Polis Sued for Allegedly Telling State Employees to Comply With ICE

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 10, 2025

"The Governor's actions will directly implicate state employees in breaking a law he signed. State agency employees cannot disclose or make accessible personal identifying information."

Jeanette Vizguerra Calls for "New Fight for Civil Rights" From Inside Aurora Detention Center

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 3, 2025

The immigrant activist accepted a human rights award while incarcerated, saying she's among other "political prisoners."

Hundreds of Denver Afghans Face Deportation After Homeland Security Order

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 3, 2025

About 3,000 Afghans came to Colorado after the August 2021 withdrawal, according to local estimates.

an illustration of trump at a game board shaped like the united states, moving cops and army pieces around

The Big Takeover: The Secret Plans to Give Trump Command of America’s Police

By Beau Hodai

May 18, 2025

For months, a Project 2025 subgroup drafted plans to place domestic law enforcement under Trump's thumb. We have their files.

Congressman Jason Crow speaks to business owners.

Jason Crow: 1,400 Immigrants Detained in Aurora, VA Facing 80,000 Job Cuts

By Bennito L. Kelty

May 16, 2025

"Things are being centralized in the administration in Washington, making local oversight much harder. We're going to try to figure out how to get around that."

Immigrant Activist, Currently Detained in Aurora, Wins Human Rights Award

By Bennito L. Kelty

May 15, 2025

"I will continue to sow rebellion until I reap freedom."

Summer Camp for Immigrant Kids Faces "Unprecedented" Demand as Funding Declines

By Bennito L. Kelty

May 15, 2025

"Typically, we only have to compete with ten or twenty others for a grant. Now I'm expecting something like fifty to 100."

Eritrean-Coloradan Teen Raises Thousands of Dollars for Refugees, Plans Documentary About Crisis

By Hannah Metzger

May 14, 2025

Rodas Tewelde escaped the east African nation of Eritrea as a child — but she's "never going to turn [her] back" on other refugees.

A Denver police officer walks among tents an emptied out migrant encampment.

Denver's Encampments Disappeared Almost a Year Ago: Where Are the Migrants Now?

By Bennito L. Kelty

May 6, 2025

"This population is well-positioned to quickly self-resolve episodes of homelessness with the intervention of move-in assistance for market-rate housing," the city said in its newcomer playbook.

Immigration

ICE Uses South Park Image in Recruiting Post

Immigrants Accuse Focus Points Comal of Wage Theft

Immigration

ICE Uses South Park Image in Recruiting Post

Immigrants Accuse Focus Points Comal of Wage Theft

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