Ahead of ICE protests, Boulder DA sends out legal rights notice
Ahead a weekend of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the metro Denver area, Boulder County officials sent out a notice advising people of their legal rights.
The notice, sent by the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office Friday morning, lists several constitutional, state and local laws and statutes that protect people’s rights to interact with ICE agents and document their activity.
The rights listed in the document include the following:
• The right to film and/or voice record ICE activity.
• The right to remain silent and refrain from answering questions about immigration status.
• The right to not allow ICE agents into a home unless they have a federal warrant approved by a judge.
Additionally, the document notes that state law prohibits civil immigration arrests at courthouses, probation offices, medical facilities or schools, and that anyone who witnesses misconduct from ICE or federal agents can report it to 911 or the office at 303-441-3700.
“When the law is violated, our office will definitely respond with whatever action is appropriate,” a spokesperson for the office said Friday morning. “It is about people’s rights, justice and accountability.”
The notice, which was brought upon by a significant number of community questions, is nothing more than a regular advisory, the spokesperson noted. But, they added, with protests around the Denver area throughout the weekend, the office wanted to keep people informed.
Friday saw several schools and businesses close around the Denver metro area as part of a national shutdown in protest of ICE’s actions in Minnesota. Those demonstrations are expected to continue Saturday, with a protest scheduled at 6 p.m. on the steps in front of the state Capitol in downtown Denver.
Two of the people killed by federal agents in recent weeks — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — have Colorado ties. Good grew up in Colorado Springs; Pretti’s parents currently live in Arvada.
“We are always concerned with the safety of community members and law enforcement,” the Boulder spokesperson said. “The recent events in Minneapolis heightened concerns for everyone.”




