The Colorado District Attorney argues that those seeking to dismiss the issue of Venezuelan gangs in the state are taking a “ignorance of the law – Bliss approach.”
“There were two extreme positions. One is, “Hey, they took over the city” … and then the mainstream media says, “There's nothing like the country of Venezuela. There's no Venezuelans. It's all about your imagination.”
“The truth is that the Venezuelan gangs have taken over the operation of about two or three different apartment complexes. That way, it's a huge problem to suggest that this isn't a problem. It's a growing problem. And this kind of ignorance is a blissful approach to the law.”
Comments have restricted local jurisdictions to work with federal immigration authorities as a result of Colorado's recent national spotlight as a result of the state's sanctuary law.
As GOP councillors say they are responsible for the policy, mayor of Denver
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testified at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing with the mayor of the Sanctuary at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Greem Sloan of the Washington Post by Getty Images)
The issue has become even more controversial in recent months after reports of the spread of Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan immigrant gang who took over multiple apartments in Aurora, Colorado city.
The state was further highlighted at a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday, when Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was burned by lawmakers over his lack of cooperation with city federal authorities.
“Tren de Aragua, an illegal immigrant gang, has targeted its American headquarters due to Denver's weak immigration laws,” Republican Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans told Fox News Digital after the hearing.
On his part, Brauler argued that Johnston's answer during the hearing was merely an attempt to “biasize” the conversation from the overall issue.
“But my sense of these answers was intended to divert from the key questions underlying here: Should cities stick to themselves between illegal aliens and federal law? And the answer is very obvious and simple.”
A suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang passed an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, and charged rent in exchange for “protection,” earlier reports say. (Edward Romero)
Denver Mayor says he is ready to go to prison for opposing the deportation of illegal immigrants
Despite that “obvious answer,” Browchler told Fox News Digital that the democratically controlled government in Colorado has doubled its sanctuary policies.
“From 2018, Colorado has been in a blue rumour, and the Congress and the governor have been ruled by Democrats ever since, and they have done everything they can to make Colorado a sanctuary,” he said. “One of the laws that our state legislature has fully embraced in Denver is to make our courts sanctuary for illegal immigration. They prohibit enforcement of immigration laws within those courts.”
Brauchler said similar laws are currently in progress, and this time prohibits immigration enforcement for round-trip to court.
“Can you imagine a city or state that creates a barrier to say, 'Sorry, local law enforcement, you can't communicate with the FBI about fugitives you can't communicate with?' Heck, about tax cheats…
Aurora police officers load up tear gas guns as investigators search for evidence in their apartment in Dallas, Aurora, Colorado on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
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Nevertheless, Browler said he is committed to fighting back against the policy to make the state's residents safer.
“If you are an illegal immigrant and you are in this jurisdiction, you will get legal. If you are legal or not, then you should fall into your best bet,” he said. “If you violate our laws, don't expect me to come to your rescue and find a way to keep you where you say you shouldn't be here first.”
