Mile High Madness: Denver Public Employees Could Go to Jail for Cooperating with ICE

Yes, you read that correctly. Government employees in Denver who cooperate with federal immigration authorities could be subject to termination, fines and even a jail sentence. Illegal aliens, of course, go free.

This Maoist policy in the Mile High City was brought to light by Tom Tancredo, a staunch advocate for true immigration reform during his time in Congress and now a candidate for governor of Colorado. More importantly, Tancredo’s allegations have been confirmed by the Denver-based weekly publication, Westword. Like most big city weeklies, Westword has very little interest in advancing Tancredo’s political career. No one would ever confuse Westword for Breitbart.

Westword didn’t just take Tancredo’s word that public employees risk up to 10 months in the county jail for cooperating with ICE. They went out and found proof that public employees have been put on notice that they could lose their jobs, their freedom, and acquire a criminal record if they don’t toe the line on Mayor Michael Hancock’s Executive Order 142.

A slide presentation that the city is making to municipal workers states clearly:

• Any employee who violates this ordinance is subject to discipline up to and including termination, and
• Any employee who knowingly and intentionally violates this ordinance is subject to criminal prosecution and may be fined up to $999.00 and a term of incarceration not to exceed 300 days in jail.

Aside from Orwellian aspect of Denver’s policy, it is flat out illegal under federal law. 8 U.S. Code § 1373 of the federal code states clearly, “In general: Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful of any individual.”

Traditionally, when it comes to sanctuary policy madness, California has been the unquestioned standard bearer. Until now, that is. That bar is now a mile high, thanks to Denver.