November 22nd 2024.
At a recent meeting of the Aurora City Council's public safety policy committee, council member Danielle Jurinsky discussed the Trump transition team's interest in Operation Aurora. However, there is still a lack of information surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's plan to deport undocumented immigrants.
Jurinsky, who also chairs the committee, used the opportunity to remind city leaders that "Operation Aurora is coming." She emphasized the seriousness of the situation and highlighted the disconnect between the incoming administration and the City of Aurora. She expressed her hope that the city is taking this matter seriously.
Trump first announced his proposed mass deportation effort during a visit to Colorado's most diverse city in October while on the campaign trail. At the time, Jurinsky spoke about the presence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Aurora and their alleged control over a neglected apartment complex.
On Friday, Jurinsky confirmed that she has had discussions with Trump and his campaign staffers about the plan. She mentioned that the focus would be on undocumented immigrants with gang ties and those who have committed crimes in the United States. However, the details of how the federal government will carry out these deportations are still unclear.
City attorney Pete Schulte requested that any communication from the Trump administration regarding Operation Aurora be forwarded to his office during the November 14 committee meeting. As of Friday, he had not been contacted about the plan. He reassured the council that the city will ensure laws are followed and that it is not their place to participate in mass deportations.
Jurinsky expressed her hope that the police department would assist in deporting criminals by sharing information with federal immigration authorities. However, city spokesperson Matthew Brown stated that state law limits what information local law enforcement can share with federal agencies, as immigration is regulated by the federal government. He added that the city and the Aurora Police Department will continue to follow federal law and directives.
Aurora Police Sergeant Marc Sears, who is also the president of one of the city's police unions, spoke out about the department's directives prohibiting officers from asking for documents for the sole purpose of determining someone's immigration status. Jurinsky had suggested that Sears oversee the cooperation between the police and immigration authorities during Operation Aurora, but Sears was not aware of this beforehand and expressed frustration about Jurinsky's claims of police neglect in certain areas of the city.
Jurinsky defended her statements, stating that there is indeed Venezuelan gang activity in Aurora, despite the police department's denial. She also mentioned that she is likely to become a point of contact for the Trump administration due to the president-elect's conflicts with Aurora's mayor, Mike Coffman.
Coffman, on the other hand, stated that the city will continue to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the limits of state and federal law. However, he does not support adding immigration enforcement to the already understaffed police department's duties. He also expressed his disapproval of the plan being named "Operation Aurora," citing the potential harm it could cause to the city's reputation and economy.
As the discussion continues, many in Aurora are left wondering about the next steps and the impact this plan will have on their community. Stay updated on Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.
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