Weld County commissioners vote to ban use of county funds for migrant sheltering
DENVER (KDVR) — Weld County commissioners unanimously voted on Monday to prevent county officials from using any of the government’s funds for emergency migrant sheltering.
The ordinance, which still has several steps to go through before being adopted, specifically is against “providing emergency sheltering for illegal aliens,” which the county board defined as housing, transportation or meals for people who do not have an immigration status of “lawfully present in the United States.”
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“There have been a lot of conversations in the community, as well as nationally, about the impact illegal immigration is having on local government,” Weld County Commission Chair Kevin Ross said in a statement. “Information found on websites or comments made by individuals in the community have led to confusion and concern, understandably. Our hope, as a board, is that this ordinance will bring clarity and confidence that Weld County is neither a sanctuary county for illegal immigrants nor is county government misusing taxpayer funds in relation to illegal immigration.”
Sonny Subia, the state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens and a Weld County resident, calls the vote disappointing.
“Those folks that are coming here don’t want to use government money and stay home. They’re out there looking for work, they’re lining up to learn English,” Subia told FOX31’s Nate Belt. “I mean, it’s a vibrant community.”
Subia believes if the ordinance is adopted, the workforce in Weld County will take a significant hit.
“If the migrant workforce ceased to exist, those crops are going to die in the fields,” he said.
The measure has not been adopted. That would take place after two other public readings at future board meetings. Anyone who wishes to comment on the ordinance can speak during public comment at any regularly scheduled county commissioner meeting, via email at publiccomment@weld.gov or ctb@weld.gov.
Citizens can also mail their comments to the Weld County Clerk to the Board, P.O. Box 758, 1150 O Street, Greeley, CO, 80632.
Weld County measure echoes other county’s efforts
The Weld County measure is one of many taken by counties along Interstate 25. Officials have pointed to the crisis in Denver, fueled by busloads of migrants sent from the southern border and previously living in violent regions, such as areas of Venezuela.
On April 15, the Douglas County commissioners filed a lawsuit challenging two state laws on immigration. Douglas County Commissioner George Teal said the U.S. is facing an “illegal immigration crisis.”
“We have been proactive, taking steps to mitigate the crisis here in Douglas County, Colorado,” Teal said in a release. “What has been missing is the ability of our local law enforcement agencies to work with immigration officials. This is what we seek to solve through this legal action.”
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said the government’s “most critical role” is to protect its citizens.
“I believe this action is absolutely necessary to allow law enforcement to work with our federal partners to help keep all of Colorado safe,” Weekly said about the Douglas County lawsuit.
Migrant advocates fear some are being misled by Denver
Migrant advocates say that this could be a dangerous step.
“I think that’s dangerous for everyone. If I was a resident in Douglas or El Paso county, I would be very concerned about my sheriffs saying publicly they would do anything to collude with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and put our communities at risk,” American Friends Service Committee Member Jennifer Piper told FOX31’s Vicente Arenas.
Further south, El Paso County leaders have also taken steps to ensure migrants know they are not invited to the area.
“El Paso County has not, and will not, be designated as a sanctuary county,” said Commissioner Cami Bremer in a statement published on Jan. 31. “All five county commissioners are united in this position. While we acknowledge the hardships faced by migrants seeking better lives, it is essential for us to emphasize our unwavering support for legal immigration through established channels.”
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