Two men escaped from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora following a power outage on Tuesday night. This incident ignited a heated debate between local police and federal agencies regarding how the situation was handled.
ICE confirmed the escape on Wednesday, identifying the men as 24-year-old Geilond Vido-Romero and 32-year-old Joel Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez. They stated that local authorities were informed right away but chose not to assist in the search. However, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain challenged this claim, saying The GEO Group, which operates the facility, took nearly five hours to report the escape.
Chamberlain pointed out that the facility staff first knew of the missing men after a power outage around 9:30 PM. The outage affected more than just the lights; it also knocked out security cameras and unlocked doors, giving the men a chance to flee.
The police began their investigation after GEO staff finally called 911 at 2:30 AM to report the possible escape. Chamberlain highlighted the lack of urgency in the call and noted that critical details, like escape fliers or booking photos, were not provided to local law enforcement. As a result, the situation was classified as a "cold escape," which means police action is limited compared to a "hot escape" where immediate coordination is expected.
In a statement, The GEO Group pledged to work with ICE and local authorities to improve security measures to prevent future escapes. However, concerns remain regarding their preparedness for power outages, especially since backup generators and alternative security measures weren’t addressed in their response.
The incident came on the heels of a protest with over a hundred community members outside the facility against the recent arrest of immigration advocate Jeanette Vizguerra. Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky publicly criticized ICE, blaming them for operational failures during the power outage, and brought attention to a state law that limits local police cooperation with ICE on non-criminal immigration matters.
As of now, both men remain at large, and the ongoing search has prompted local and state law enforcement to issue a "be on the lookout" notice. Meanwhile, concerns about the public’s safety and the transparency of ICE’s communication continue to grow.
This incident underscores an ongoing debate about the balance between local policing and federal immigration enforcement, especially following recent data showing a rise in public concern over transparency and safety in immigration detentions. According to a recent survey, nearly 70% of Americans believe local police should have a role in immigration enforcement, yet many express discomfort with the current state laws that hinder such collaboration.
For further information on this situation and immigration enforcement protocols, you can read more at ICE’s official site.
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