Denver Mayor Orders Police to Protect Protesters, Restricts ICE Access to City Property

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has signed a new executive order directing city police to protect peaceful protesters during federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and prohibiting ICE agents from using city-owned property. The move places Denver among several Democratic-led cities pushing back against the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.

The order authorizes Denver law enforcement agencies to follow established de-escalation protocols if civil immigration enforcement actions occur within the city, including any surge in ICE agents. According to Johnston, officers are instructed to safeguard public health and safety while ensuring the protection of free speech rights. He emphasized that any ICE officer accused of using excessive force against a Denver resident could be detained and removed from the situation. Johnston stated that ICE agents would be held to the same standards as local police officers.

The policy shift follows heightened tensions surrounding federal immigration crackdowns under Republican President Donald Trump. The administration has defended its actions as necessary to combat illegal immigration and strengthen domestic security. However, human rights advocates have criticized the approach, particularly after the fatal January shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota. The incident intensified debate over federal immigration enforcement and due process protections.

In response, other Democratic leaders have enacted similar measures. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an order preventing federal agencies from using city-owned parking lots, garages, or vacant land to conduct immigration enforcement staging operations. These actions reflect a broader trend among Democratic governors and mayors seeking to counter federal immigration policies they view as harmful to civil liberties.

The White House has criticized local officials who resist cooperation with ICE. In a statement cited by Politico, spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said cities should work with federal immigration authorities, arguing that opposition efforts undermine public safety.

Advocacy groups contend that the federal crackdown has created widespread fear among both citizens and immigrants, raising concerns about violations of due process and free speech rights. Meanwhile, President Trump has warned that Democratic-led cities could face federal funding freezes if they refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement initiatives.