A resolution under consideration by the Aurora City Council charges that Denver moved immigrants into Aurora without telling city officials.
If approved, the resolution will launch an investigation into the claim.
Sponsored by city Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky, the proposal directs the city manager to provide a list of city organizations that have received funding to aid immigrants, including federal and state funding, as well as dollars from the City and County of Denver.
Aurora officials will tackle the proposal a few days after former President Donald Trump blasted the Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigration, which he said contributed to the Venezuelan gang problem in Colorado’s third-most populous city.
During his campaign stop in the city, Trump oscillated between the illegal immigration crisis that has spilled into America’s interior cities, notably Denver, Chicago and New York, and the gang situation in Aurora, and he sought to tie the problem to the Biden-Harris administration’s policies. He also promised to solve the problem.
Jurinsky, who spoke at the Trump rally, earlier told The Denver Gazette that Denver officials are culpable for influx and the ensuing gang situation in Aurora.
“They welcomed immigrants with open arms,” Jurinsky said. “But they didn’t help them. They placed them all in Aurora.”
The resolution states that the Colorado government and the City and County of Denver have “intentionally placed immigrants within (Aurora) without notifying the city of this placement.”
It goes on to say that the “placing” of immigrants into Aurora without the resources to assist them is “detrimental” to the city, the immigrants and the community.
It directs the city manager to “investigate whether or not the State of Colorado and the City and County of Denver have placed immigrants in Aurora, without the help of Aurora based non-profits.”
During his stop in Aurora, Trump said Vice President Kamala Harris has “imported an army of illegal aliens and gang members.” The Republican presidential nominee also hurled insults at Colorado’s Democratic governor and vowed to “liberate” the state after next month’s election from a wave of immigration-related problems.
“I will rescue Aurora and every town that has been invaded and conquered,” Trump told a crowd estimated at about 10,000, who nearly filled an exhibit hall at a luxury resort and convention center near Denver International Airport.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a former Republican congressman, pushed back on Trump’s characterization of the city of 400,000, calling Trump’s claims that Aurora has been “invaded” or occupied by migrant gangs false and damaging to the city’s sense of safety.
Coffman also expressed disappointment that Trump declined his invitation to get a look at the city beyond his quick stop on its outskirts.
On Friday, some of Colorado’s Democratic elected officials accused Trump and his supporters of overstating the problems in Aurora.
“Donald Trump has invited himself to Aurora to do what Donald Trump does best, which is to demonize immigrants, to lie, and to serve his own political purposes,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. “And we can’t let him divide us anymore.”
Colorado’s third largest city made national headlines this summer after a group of armed men — purported to be members of Tren de Aragua — terrorized tenants in an apartment complex in a video that went viral.
TDA is a violent Venezuelan prison gang that has expanded its footprint into the United States, establishing a foothold in the Denver metro area, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Monday night’s council meeting will be preceded by a press conference outside the Aurora Municipal Building held by the family of Kilyn Lewis, who was shot and killed by an Aurora Police Department officer during an attempted SWAT arrest back in May.
On Friday, the district attorney cleared Ofc. Michael Dieck — the SWAT officer who shot him — of any charges, saying he used the appropriate amount of force.
Ofc. Michael Dieck — a 12-year-veteran of the Aurora Police Department and eight-year Aurora SWAT team member — was deemed justified in the shooting and killing of 37-year-old Lewis on May 23 during an attempted arrest in Aurora, according to a decision letter from 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner to new Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain.
Arrests and court records obtained by The Denver Gazette showed that Lewis was wanted for a first-degree murder attempt, and the police were out to arrest him on May 23, the day he was shot and killed.
“I find that there is no criminal liability on the part of Officer Michael Dieck stemming from this OIS (officer-involved shooting). Criminal charges, therefore, are not appropriate or warranted related to the officer’s use of deadly force,” Kellner said in the letter.
Lewis’ family, who has conducted protests and spoke at almost every Aurora City Council meeting since the shooting, expressed outrage at the decision.
“It has been 141 days since the Aurora Police Department murdered Kilyn E. Lewis,” the family said in a statement sent by Auon’tai Anderson. “For nearly five months, our family has been left in the dark, waiting for answers. Without advance notice or any communication, we learned through the media that District Attorney John Kellner had released his findings, a 20-page document made public without our knowledge or opportunity to review. The lack of respect and regard for our family is staggering as we have been present and begging for answers and transparency since we lost Kilyn.”
Monday’s study session will be held at 5:15 p.m. in the Aurora Room of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
The council’s regular meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Paul Tauer Aurora City Council Chamber, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
Both meetings will also be live streamed at auroraTV.org and Youtube.com/TheAuroraChannel. They will also stream live on cable channels 8 and 880 in Aurora.
Those who want to speak during the public comment period must submit a speaker slip by 6:30 p.m. Monday, the day of the meeting. Anyone who wants to comment on an agenda item must submit a speaker slip before the city clerk reads the title of the item.
