DENVER — In a perplexing incident at an immigration detention center near Denver, two men reportedly escaped after the facility’s back doors opened amid a power outage. According to local police, the breakout occurred, and the men were discovered missing several hours later, raising concerns about delayed notifications to law enforcement.
Despite assurances from immigration officials that authorities were informed promptly, Aurora police stated they were only alerted about the escape two hours after the men were first noted missing. This delay in notification, over four hours after the escape likely happened, hindered any immediate action by the police to recapture the escapees.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acknowledged in a statement that the men—who were previously held in Colorado for unspecified issues—remain at large. A comprehensive search continues, yet ICE claims to have informed law enforcement promptly regarding the situation, though the police reportedly did not aid in the search.
Critics, including federal officials and Republican lawmakers, have voiced concerns regarding sanctuary policies in areas like Denver, which restrict collaboration with federal immigration authorities. Colorado’s state laws also influence such cooperation. However, Aurora police emphasized having a partnership with the GEO Group, the private enterprise managing the detention facility, to assist during escapes but only if notified within 15 minutes of the occurrence.
Details from the police timeline indicate a facility staff member called 911 around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to report an escape but lacked crucial details. Consequently, a police commander needed to follow up for additional information. The timeline suggests the escape occurred around 10 p.m. the prior evening. An officer visited the detention center around 5 a.m. to investigate further.
Reportedly, an emergency headcount due to the power outage revealed the absence of the two men—one from Mexico and another from Venezuela—who allegedly fled through doors leading to a soccer field.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain remarked on the importance of receiving timely and precise information to effectively respond and assist federal partners, a requirement unmet in this incident as per the facts presented.
Chamberlain reaffirmed the police department’s willingness to collaborate with ICE, as demonstrated during a previous investigation involving Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in connection with a kidnapping and assault case.
A state-issued alert now instructs law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant about the escapees, though ICE has not requested additional assistance beyond this alert. In a statement, Ally Sullivan, spokesperson for Democratic Governor Jared Polis, urged ICE to maintain transparency concerning this escape and its potential implications for public safety.
ICE did not immediately provide further details on the ongoing search or respond to queries about the police’s account of events. Meanwhile, the GEO Group, headquartered in Florida, suggested the power outage might have compromised parts of the facility’s security system, allowing the detainees to evade security measures and climb the perimeter fence.
“We are urgently addressing all necessary corrective actions to prevent a recurrence of such instances,” a GEO Group spokesperson assured in a statement, underscoring the company’s commitment to fortifying the facility’s security.