Posted Mar. 6 2025
Colorado immigrant rights organizations and allies delivered a petition signed by thousands of individuals to the office of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on March 5. Denverites are standing firm in their commitment to welcoming and protecting all families as right-wing politicians force Mayor Johnston into their political theater, subpoenaing him to testify in defense of sanctuary policies. This isn’t about public safety—it’s about scapegoating immigrants to distract us so they can line the pockets of their billionaire friends while they try to abduct our neighbors.
With a long history of rejecting federal overreach and embracing policies that keep families together, Denver remains a national leader in defending immigrant communities—and that’s not changing now.
“For years, Denver has led the way in ensuring all people—no matter where they were born—can live with dignity and safety,” said Gladis Ibarra, Co-Executive Director with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. “The federal government has no right to force our city to invest in ripping Denver families apart. We will not do ICE’s dirty work or turn our city into a pipeline for family separation.”
Denver’s Welcoming Policies Make Us Safer & Stronger
Denver has always embraced those with the determination to build a better life here. Immigrant families are an essential part of Denver—they are vital community members, our coworkers, and leaders who help our city thrive. Welcoming policies make Denver safer for everyone by fostering trust in local government, ensuring people feel secure reporting crimes, seeking medical care, and fully participating in the local economy.
What do Denver’s Welcoming Policies Actually do?
- Denver’s welcoming policies ensure that all residents—regardless of immigration status—can live with dignity.
- Separates local law enforcement from ICE.
- Ensures all residents can access the justice system without fear by prohibiting ICE arrests in courthouses.
- Ensures everyone can access vital city resources – by not collecting citizenship status from Denverites.
“We’ve spent years building policies that keep families together, and we won’t be coerced into turning on our communities. And we refuse to be pawns in their agenda of fear and division,” shared Luis Antezana, Founder & CEO of Juntos Community. “Our values cannot be bought or broken.”
For decades, Denver has rejected attacks on immigrant families, standing firm in the belief that everyone deserves the chance to build a future here. No amount of political grandstanding in Washington will change that.
“In Denver, we choose unity over hate, dignity over chaos, and community over fear,” said Mekela Goehring, Executive Director with the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. “The true Denver spirit isn’t about closing doors—it’s about forging a future where everyone has a chance to thrive.”
Coalition and allies include The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), The Bell Policy Center, Juntos Community, Together Colorado, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) , American Friends Service Committee, Colorado, ACLU of Colorado, East Colfax Community Collective, Casa de Paz, Colorado People’s Alliance, Housekeys Action Network Denver and Progress Now Colorado.
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