Denver Mayor Mike Johnston Says City Could Detain ICE Agents Over ‘Excessive Force’

The Mayor of Denver, Mike Johnston, has said city authorities could detain federal immigration officers if they are seen using excessive force against civilians.

During a public announcement, Johnston stated that the city would not tolerate what he described as abusive behavior by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while operating in the city.

According to the mayor, Denver police and emergency responders have a responsibility to protect residents and provide assistance to anyone injured during enforcement operations. He said that if ICE agents were observed assaulting, shooting, or killing civilians, local authorities would step in and detain those involved.

Johnston emphasized that federal agents should be held to the same standards of conduct as local law enforcement officers. “If we see any ICE officer using excessive force against a Denver resident, we will step in to detain that officer and remove them from the situation,” he said while announcing the policy.

The mayor also criticized what he called the “abduction” of residents during immigration operations, saying the city would work to ensure that families do not live in fear. He added that no one should have to worry about being taken away while carrying out everyday activities such as going to the store.

The remarks come as part of a broader executive order aimed at strengthening protections for immigrants and limiting immigration enforcement on city-owned properties. The policy directs local police to de-escalate confrontations and provide assistance to anyone injured during immigration operations.

The announcement highlights growing tensions between some local governments and federal immigration authorities in the United States, particularly in cities that have adopted policies designed to protect immigrant communities.

Observers say the directive could lead to legal disputes over the authority of local governments versus federal immigration agencies, as debates over immigration enforcement continue across the country.