Douglas County Commissioners Prioritize Citizens Over Denver’s ‘Sanctuary City’ Policy

In a bold move to protect their community, the conservative Douglas County Commissioners have called on Denver Mayor Mike Johnston to reverse the city's 2017 resolution declaring Denver a "sanctuary city." The resolution, passed by Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal, not only aims to keep migrants out of Douglas County, but also out of Denver.

Thursday, Commissioner Teal declared that the "sanctuary" label is not an official designation, but rather a tactic used by Denver to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He went on to state that this was a crisis of Denver's own making, referencing the city's position as a sanctuary.

Commissioner Laydon read aloud the three-page resolution and emphasized the importance of safeguarding citizens. As the first Latino commissioner elected in Douglas County, he acknowledged the plight of those facing challenges, but also stressed the need to prioritize the public safety of the community.

The resolution affirms that Douglas County supports legal immigration and that those who follow the laws and pay taxes are unfairly burdened by those who do not.

READ MORE:

• Denver Mayor Picks South Santa Fe Drive Site for First Micro-Community

• Deaths of People Who are Homeless in Denver Surge 50% Since Last Year

• Denver's Struggle To Manage Influx Of Illegal Immigrants And Rise In Homelessness

• Denver Business Owner Whose 'Poop' Protest Against City Hall

Douglas County, unlike Denver, is not considered a sanctuary and the commissioners are calling on other counties in the metro area to follow suit. Their concern stems from Denver's current struggle to shelter over 3,000 migrants from the southern border, many of whom are from Venezuela. This influx of migrants has put a strain on Denver's resources and the city's mayor has called for a regional approach to address the issue.

According to the resolution, Douglas County wants to take a proactive step to prevent Denver from outsourcing their migrant sheltering to surrounding counties. While Mayor Johnston's office denies operating shelters in Douglas County, they have expressed disappointment and heartache over the resolution calling it "disappointing and disheartening."

Douglas County is not alone in their concerns about Denver's migrant crisis spilling over. Just this week, the Adams County Board of Health passed an order requiring detailed records for any migrant shelters after discovering that Denver was temporarily housing migrants in facilities in Adams County.

The conservative commissioners of Douglas County continue to prioritize the safety of their community and believe that it is their duty to ensure that those who pay taxes and follow the laws are not unfairly burdened by those who do not.

Commissioners Laydon and Teal, stand firm in their stance against sanctuary policies and will continue to call on Denver to reverse their resolution and join them in protecting their citizens.