UPDATE: Federal immigration enforcement is escalating in Durango, prompting urgent warnings from the local nonprofit, Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center. Reports from community members indicate a significant increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities targeting immigrants, particularly at local construction sites and food businesses.
The alarming reports come as volunteers from the Colorado Rapid Response Network face harassment while observing and documenting enforcement actions. Compañeros is now calling for immediate support from Durango’s elected officials to protect immigrant communities and ensure transparency from the city’s newly formed immigration task force.
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.” He emphasized that the presence of ICE is a constant threat to the community.
Compañeros highlights that some employers have reported being advised by immigration agents to refrain from hiring workers from Mexico, further straining the local workforce. The organization also raised alarms about the intimidation tactics used against volunteer “confirmers,” who are integral in documenting ICE activities. Several volunteers have reported being approached by officers at their workplaces, raising concerns about their safety and legality in fulfilling their roles.
Orozco-Perez warns of broader repercussions: “The more ICE disrupts life in this town, the more that will disrupt the rest of the economy. We’re talking about tourism and regular shoppers, because we’re going to lose workers who clean our hotel rooms, cook our food, and do our landscaping during those beautiful months when it’s not cold.”
The release from Compañeros serves as a call to action, urging city councilors to take decisive steps to reassure residents and advocates that their lawful activities will be protected. This includes affirming the legality of the confirmers’ work and clarifying the Durango Police Department’s policy regarding interactions with federal immigration agents.
Concerns surrounding the structure and transparency of the city’s Immigration Task Force have also surfaced. Compañeros questions the selection process for task force members and the criteria used, noting that a proposal submitted in November to the Community Relations Commission and City Council remains unaddressed. Orozco-Perez expressed frustration, stating, “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 the community grapples with these developments, the urgency for local leaders to act grows. Residents and advocates are calling for a clear message that those engaged in lawful activities will not face intimidation or harassment from federal agents.
Compañeros urges Durango’s elected officials to take a stand, insisting on greater transparency and community involvement in the immigration task force. The organization emphasizes that the impact of federal enforcement extends beyond immigrants, affecting the entire community’s economic stability.
This situation is evolving rapidly, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as these critical developments unfold. As the crackdown continues, the question remains: how will local leaders respond to protect their community?
