Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora to provide space for ICE operations
AURORA, Colo. (KRDO) - The U.S. Northern Command said Tuesday that beginning this week, Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora will be providing facilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to stage and process criminal aliens within the U.S.
According to a statement from U.S. Northern Command, this comes at the request of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The statement said the ICE requirements for the facility include a temporary operations center, staging area, and a temporary holding location for the receiving, holding, and processing of criminal aliens. This facility will be manned by ICE senior leaders, special agents, and analysts, as well as members of DHS Components and other federal law enforcement agencies.
Congressman Jason Crow released a statement early Wednesday morning:
“I am deeply concerned about reports that Buckley Space Force Base in my district will be used for mass deportation efforts.
“Pulling our military into politicized and contentious domestic immigration enforcement dishonors the service of our troops and distracts them from the important work of defending our nation.
Perhaps most disturbingly, it could force our servicemembers to assist in the detention and deportation of peaceful members of the community.
Let me be clear: if someone, regardless of immigration status, is committing violent crimes, they have no place in our communities.
However, the President’s mass deportations are threatening to go after our neighbors, family members, business owners, and friends in order to create a narrative that most immigrants are violent criminals. This is simply not true.
My community and our military can expect my vigorous oversight and, if warranted, my opposition as a member of Congress.”
-Statement from Congressman Jason Crow