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DENVER (KDVR) — A U.S. Congresswoman and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are sparring online over immigration enforcement actions purportedly taken in Chaffee County this week.
“We have been notified that people who are here legally have been detained in Chaffee County,” wrote Rep. Brittany Pettersen on X on Wednesday afternoon. “Truly unimaginable that this is happening in the United States of America where freedom and democracy and the rule of law were the envy of the world.
“None of us can stand on the sidelines while this is happening. My office will be following their case and getting additional information,” Pettersen continued. “We are available to submit inquiries to ICE on your behalf if you or a loved one are detained.”
FOX31 reached out to Pettersen’s office for additional information, but has not heard back.
However, the presence of ICE agents in Chaffee County was confirmed by both the Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.
“I can confirm that ICE was in Chaffee County yesterday and did take two parties into custody,” said Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich. “ICE does not let me know when or if they will be here and they do not provide me information concerning their operations. They did not let us know they were going to be here yesterday. ICE is a partner law enforcement agency to us, and we will cooperate with them when state law allows us to do so. We did not assist ICE in detaining anyone in our county.”
ICE also confirmed its presence in Chaffee County in a response to Pettersen’s X post.
“FALSE,” ICE Denver posted on X. “If the congresswoman got her facts straight before running to the defense of aliens she would know all 6 arrests made in Chaffee County over the last few days are criminal aliens. 1 of which already has a final order of removal. Their crimes include theft, DUI’s and … driving without a license and they will all be held in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings or removal. An employment authorization card (work permit) doesn’t prevent an immigration arrest when an alien commits a crime.”
The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners pointed community members to resources about constitutional rights, including a “Know your rights” webpage on Pettersen’s website, available here, and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition website, which also provides basic information and guidance.
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Heather Willard
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