A new congressional report throws a stark spotlight on the simmering conflict between local law enforcement in sanctuary cities and federal immigration authorities. Released Friday by the House Judiciary Committee, the 25-page document spearheaded by Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, alleges that top prosecutors in Denver and Boulder, Colorado, are actively hindering federal efforts to deport illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes. The report, obtained exclusively by Fox News, paints a picture of local officials going out of their way to shield individuals from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even as the Trump administration pushes for a sweeping crackdown. This is not merely a policy disagreement; it is a dramatic illustration of how state and federal jurisdictions are colliding over the enforcement of immigration law, with tangible consequences for public safety and the integrity of the justice system. The findings are the latest salvo in a long-running political battle over sanctuary jurisdictions, and they come with a demand for accountability from local district attorneys who the GOP says are picking political ideology over public safety.
At the heart of the report are specific, graphic cases that Republican investigators argue demonstrate a deliberate pattern of obstruction. Among those named is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested in Denver on charges of sexual assault on a child. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national whose alleged criminal history includes child cruelty, DUI, drug possession, and evading police. The report claims Denver ignored an ICE detainer for Holguin-Mendez after his arrest for property damage. Similarly, a Venezuelan national, Diego Cano-Diaz, accused of multiple protective order violations, was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon and resisting arrest, yet his detainer was also ignored. These are not anonymous statistics; they are individuals with specific, serious allegations, and the report argues that local sanctuary policies are the only reason they remain on American soil rather than in federal custody or facing deportation. The human weight of these cases is profound—behind each charge is a potential victim, and behind each policy is a life-altering decision.
The report goes beyond mere statistics to highlight specific, troubling cases. Among the most alarming is that of Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver authorities. Similarly, Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a lengthy rap sheet including child cruelty, DUI, and drug charges, was released despite federal requests to hold him. Another individual, Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple protective order violations, was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault—yet his detainer was also ignored. The report further claims that at least four illegal immigrants arrested on domestic violence charges in Denver had their ICE detainers ignored. In Boulder, a Mexican national named Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, wanted for child abuse and failure to appear, was also released despite a federal detainer. It is important to note that ignoring a detainer doesn’t automatically mean a violent offender is back on the street; it does, however, allow a person who might otherwise be transferable to federal custody to slip away from the deportation process, often disappearing into the general population.
The report digs deeper, alleging a deliberate, systemic approach to obstructing ICE at the local level. House GOP investigators claim they obtained internal documents showing that the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written notifications to suspected illegal immigrants in their preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This practice, while framed as protecting civil liberties, is seen by critics as a direct effort to coach undocumented criminals on how to avoid federal questioning. More alarmingly, the report accuses Denver officials of giving ICE shockingly short notice about the release of dangerous individuals. The report highlights the case of Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. Denver reportedly gave ICE only one to two hours’ notice of his release from jail. The consequences were immediate and violent: when ICE officers attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside the jail in 2025, he allegedly assaulted one of them. This specific incident serves as a microcosm of the broader frustration felt by federal agents who believe local sanctuary policies are actively endangering their officers and the public.
The report does not just offer broad accusations; it names specific individuals and the graphic charges against them to illustrate the human stakes. Among those highlighted is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver authorities. Another case involves Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a prior arrest record including child cruelty, DUI, malicious mischief, drug possession, trespassing, and disturbing the peace; he was later arrested for property damage. The report also names Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple alleged protective order violations, who was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault—yet his ICE detainer was also ignored. These are not minor traffic stops; they are serious, sometimes violent offenses that underscore the high stakes of sanctuary policies. House Republicans argue that by refusing to honor ICE detainers, local officials are making a conscious choice to prioritize politics over public safety, allowing individuals with potentially dangerous backgrounds to remain in communities instead of facing deportation.
Beyond the dry statistics and legal citations, the report introduces a human element—real people with checkered pasts whose fates now hang in the balance of a partisan standoff. The names and charges are graphic: Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national accused of sexually assaulting a child; Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with prior arrests for child cruelty, DUI, and drug possession, taken in for property damage; and Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with alleged protective order violations, arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon. In Denver alone, the report lists at least four illegal immigrants arrested for domestic violence whose ICE detainers were ignored. In Boulder, a Mexican national named Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, arrested for child abuse and failure to appear, was also allowed to slip through the federal net. These are not theoretical cases; they represent real individuals, real victims, and real communities that must grapple with the consequences of release or non-cooperation. While an ignored detainer does not automatically mean someone is set free, it significantly hampers ICE’s ability to take custody and begin deportation, creating a frustrating game of cat and mouse.
The report goes beyond naming names, delving into the specific tactics that Denver and Boulder use to keep illegal immigrants out of federal hands. For example, the House GOP investigators say they obtained internal documents showing the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written explanations in a suspect’s preferred language, informing them that they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This is framed not as community education, but as a deliberate attempt to coach criminal suspects on how to avoid federal questioning. More alarmingly, the report highlights a case involving Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. According to the report, ICE received only a one-to-two-hour heads-up about his impending release. The result? When federal agents later attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside a Denver jail, he physically assaulted an officer. This incident serves as a concrete example of how delayed or insufficient notice can turn a routine deportation case into a dangerous situation for federal agents, underscoring the tangible consequences of non-cooperation that goes beyond bureaucratic paperwork.
The report also names specific individuals to illustrate the human stakes, though none have been convicted of the crimes they are accused of. Among them is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver authorities. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a lengthy rap sheet including child cruelty, DUI, and drug possession, who was arrested for property damage. Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple protective order violations, was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault, yet his detainer was also ignored. These cases, according to the committee, represent a troubling pattern where local officials prioritize political posturing over public safety. However, it’s crucial to note that these are merely allegations at this stage; the individuals have been arrested, not convicted. The report deliberately uses their graphic charges to illustrate the high stakes involved, arguing that releasing such individuals back onto the streets—or failing to hold them for federal authorities—undermines public trust in the justice system and puts communities at risk.
The report goes further, alleging that the shielding is not just an act of omission but an active, deliberate policy. For example, it claims the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides undocumented immigrants with written explanations in their preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This, according to the committee, is a direct way of coaching individuals to avoid cooperation with ICE. In one particularly striking case, the report highlights Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. Authorities reportedly gave ICE only one to two hours’ notice before his release from a Denver jail. When ICE officers attempted to arrest him outside the facility in 2025, he allegedly assaulted one of them. This incident illustrates a broader pattern: by providing minimal notice and actively discouraging cooperation, local officials are making it harder for federal agents to do their jobs, potentially putting the public at risk. The report includes the names and graphic charges of several individuals, including a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, and a Mexican national with a long rap sheet of child cruelty, DUI, and property damage, whose detainers were allegedly ignored.
The specific cases cited in the report read as a rogues’ gallery of alleged criminal activity, underscoring the stakes of the policy clash. One individual, Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national, was arrested for sexual assault on a child. Another, Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national, had a criminal history that includes arrests for willful cruelty to a child, DUI, malicious mischief, possession of a controlled substance, and trespassing. A third, Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national, was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault, despite multiple protective order violations. The report claims that all of these individuals had their ICE detainers ignored by Denver authorities. Additionally, at least four illegal immigrants arrested for alleged domestic violence in Denver also had their detainers ignored. In Boulder, the report highlights Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, a Mexican national arrested for child abuse and failure to appear. These are just a few of the names and charges that House GOP investigators say are being shielded from Trump’s federal crackdown. Each name represents a person, an alleged victim, and a community left to wonder if their local officials are prioritizing political posturing over public safety.
The report alleges that the leniency goes beyond simply declining to honor ICE requests; it involves proactive measures to coach suspected illegal immigrants on how to resist federal authority. House GOP investigators say they obtained internal documents showing the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written explanations in a suspect’s preferred language, informing them of “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This, according to the report, is part of a deliberate strategy to keep ICE at bay. For example, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, Abraham Smith Gonzalez, was reportedly given just one to two hours’ notice before his release from a Denver jail, allowing him to briefly walk free before assaulting an ICE officer during a subsequent arrest attempt. The report argues that such actions are not merely passive non-cooperation but active obstruction, undermining federal law enforcement and putting the public at risk.
The committee’s report shines a light on the human faces behind the statistics, listing specific individuals they say are being protected by these policies. One case involves Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was ignored by Denver authorities. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a lengthy criminal history including child cruelty, DUI, and drug possession, who was arrested for property damage. The report also names Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple alleged protective order violations, who was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault, yet saw his ICE detainer ignored. These are not abstract statistics; they are individuals with names, alleged victims, and stories that underscore the real-world stakes of the immigration debate. While an ICE detainer is not a criminal warrant, it is a request from federal authorities to hold an individual so they can be transferred to federal custody for deportation proceedings. By ignoring these requests, local jurisdictions allow individuals to slip back into communities, potentially avoiding accountability on the federal level, even if local charges are pending.
The report alleges a deliberate, systematic approach to this shielding, not just isolated incidents. In Denver, the Sheriff’s Department is accused of providing written explanations to suspected illegal immigrants in their preferred language, informing them that they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This practice, according to the committee, is designed to coach detainees on how to avoid cooperation with ICE. Furthermore, the report claims that when Denver officials do alert ICE, they often do so with dangerously little notice. One particularly alarming example involves Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua. According to the report, ICE received only one to two hours’ notice to pick him up before his release from a Denver jail. The result: Gonzalez was freed, and when ICE officers later attempted to arrest him in 2025, he allegedly assaulted one of them. This single incident encapsulates the frustration of federal agents who argue that sanctuary policies have real-world, dangerous consequences for law enforcement and public safety.
The report goes beyond just criticizing ICE detainer noncompliance; it details specific, disturbing cases. It names Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver authorities. Another individual, Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national, had a lengthy rap sheet including child cruelty, DUI, malicious mischief, drug possession, and trespassing before being arrested for property damage, according to the report. The committee also highlighted Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple alleged protective order violations, who was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault, yet his detainer was also ignored. The report further claims at least four illegal immigrants arrested for domestic violence in Denver had their ICE detainers ignored. In Boulder, a Mexican national named Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, arrested for child abuse and failure to appear, was likewise mentioned. These are not nameless statistics; they are individuals with serious allegations against them, and the report argues that local policies are preventing federal authorities from doing their jobs. The unspoken tragedy is that while the debate rages, real victims—often in immigrant communities—may be left vulnerable when repeat offenders remain in the country.
The heart of the matter is not just about detainer forms, but a deliberate local philosophy of resistance that puts these individuals beyond the reach of federal agents. The report alleges that Denver and Boulder district attorneys are not merely failing to cooperate with ICE; they are proactively helping undocumented immigrants accused of crimes avoid federal custody. One of the most striking revelations is that the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written explanations in a suspect’s preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” While this may seem like a simple legal courtesy, House investigators argue it functions as a practical shield, coaching individuals on how to decline cooperation with ICE. Furthermore, the report claims that when Denver does notify ICE about a detainee, the notice is often so last-minute that federal officers have no chance to act. A particularly vivid example involves Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. ICE was given just one to two hours’ notice to pick him up. The result? He was released, and when officers later attempted to arrest him outside a Denver jail, he assaulted one of them. This single anecdote, included in the report, illustrates the tangible consequences of what Republicans call a “catch and release” dynamic enabled by local policies.
The report names specific individuals to illustrate the human stakes behind the policy. Among those allegedly shielded is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, according to the committee. Another case involves Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a rap sheet that includes willful cruelty to a child, DUI, malicious mischief, and drug possession, whose ICE detainer was ignored by Denver authorities after he was arrested for damage to property. The report also lists Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple alleged protective order violations, who was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon and resisting arrest. In each instance, local officials declined to honor ICE detainers—requests to hold individuals for transfer to federal custody. While ignoring such a detainer does not necessarily mean an immediate release, it does allow the accused to slip back into the community and avoids triggering deportation proceedings. The committee says these are just a few examples of a systematic pattern, noting at least four more cases involving domestic violence arrests in Denver where ICE detainers were similarly ignored. The raw human toll of these policies, lawmakers argue, is that victims of these alleged crimes are left vulnerable while the accused walk free in American neighborhoods.
The report goes beyond merely listing offenses; it exposes what investigators call a deliberate method to the madness—a system designed to keep suspected criminals out of ICE’s reach. In Denver, the Sheriff’s Department allegedly provides undocumented immigrants with written explanations in their preferred language, reminding them of their “right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This practice, while framed as a protection of civil liberties, is seen by federal officials as a direct obstruction of justice. The report also details a troubling pattern of short notice. In one highlighted case, Denver officials gave ICE only “between one and two hours’ notice” before releasing a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member named Abraham Smith Gonzalez. The report states that when ICE officers later attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside the jail in 2025, he assaulted an officer. This incident exemplifies the broader frustration: even a small delay can mean losing track of a dangerous individual, or worse, putting officers at risk.
The report goes further, alleging that the problem is not just a failure to cooperate but an active effort to coach suspected illegal immigrants on how to resist federal authority. House GOP investigators say they obtained internal documents showing the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written explanations in a suspect’s preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” While this may sound like a standard recitation of constitutional rights, in practice it functions as a roadmap for evading ICE. The report also details an alarming lack of advance notice. In one case, ICE was given just one to two hours’ notice to pick up Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The result was his release, and when ICE officers later attempted to arrest him outside a Denver jail in 2025, he assaulted one of them. These anecdotes underscore a broader pattern: local officials, often citing community trust or state laws, are accused of prioritizing undocumented immigrants’ cooperation over federal public safety priorities.
Beyond individual cases, the report outlines a systematic approach to keeping ICE at arm’s length, with Denver and Boulder district attorneys accused of actively discouraging cooperation. Internal documents cited in the report show that the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides suspected illegal immigrant criminals with written notices in their preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This, GOP investigators argue, is a deliberate tactic to dissuade cooperation. More alarming to federal officials, the report alleges that Denver sometimes gives ICE only a one-to-two-hour heads-up before releasing a suspect from custody. The report highlights the case of Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, who was released after such a short notice and subsequently assaulted an ICE officer when agents tried to arrest him outside a Denver jail in 2025. This narrative suggests that local policies aren’t just passive—they are actively frustrating federal law enforcement, creating a dangerous dynamic where officers are put at risk.
The report goes further, alleging that prosecutors in both cities are building their entire approach around keeping undocumented immigrants out of ICE’s hands. This includes formal policies that instruct attorneys to consider “collateral immigration consequences” when deciding on plea deals and sentencing recommendations. In Boulder, District Attorney Michael Dougherty is accused of having a standing practice of not sharing information with ICE, and even emailing defense attorneys to remind them of his office’s pro-immigrant policies. The report includes an excerpt from Boulder County DA guidance stating that attorneys should “consider the immigration and other collateral consequences to a defendant in recommending dispositions.” This means that a prosecutor might offer a more lenient plea deal to an illegal immigrant to avoid a conviction that would trigger deportation, effectively prioritizing state-level resolution over federal immigration enforcement. In Denver, the report alleges that sheriff’s deputies provide suspected illegal immigrants with written notices in their preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This is framed not as providing legal information, but as actively coaching individuals on how to avoid cooperation with ICE.
The report also details a particularly alarming incident involving a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua. According to the findings, Denver officials gave ICE only one to two hours’ notice before releasing the suspect, Abraham Smith Gonzalez. When federal agents attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside the jail, he allegedly assaulted an officer. This anecdote is used to illustrate the broader accusation that Denver’s policies are not just bureaucratic inconveniences but create real public safety risks. The report claims that the Denver Sheriff’s Department, in particular, provides written notifications in a suspect’s preferred language, explaining that they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” While advocates of such policies argue this is about ensuring due process and building trust with immigrant communities, House Republicans see it as a deliberate attempt to coach individuals on how to avoid deportation. The report also notes that when Denver does notify ICE, it often does so with only one to two hours’ notice, making it nearly impossible for federal agents to take custody. This was the case with Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, who allegedly assaulted an ICE officer after being released.
The report names specific individuals to illustrate the real-world consequences of these sanctuary policies. Among them is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a string of charges including child cruelty, DUI, and drug possession, whose ICE detainer was ignored in Denver. A third, Diego Cano-Diaz, faced aggravated assault with a weapon and resisting arrest after multiple protective order violations. The report also lists at least four illegal immigrants arrested for domestic violence whose detainers were ignored, and in Boulder, a Mexican national named Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, charged with child abuse and failure to appear, was similarly shielded. The inclusion of these names and graphic charges is deliberate: House Republicans want to illustrate the real-world stakes of sanctuary policies, arguing that these are not theoretical but involve individuals accused of serious harm. However, it is crucial to note that these are allegations, not convictions, and the report itself acknowledges that ignoring a detainer does not mean the accused were automatically released. Instead, it delays federal proceedings, allowing them to remain in the country while facing local charges.
Beyond the individual cases, the report details a systematic approach by Denver and Boulder officials to insulate illegal immigrants from federal scrutiny. The committee obtained internal documents showing that the Denver Sheriff’s Department gives suspected illegal immigrants a written notice—translated into their preferred language—informing them that they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This practice, according to the report, effectively coaches detainees on how to avoid cooperating with ICE, turning routine encounters into legal minefields for federal agents. The report further alleges that Denver officials often provide ICE with extremely short notice—sometimes only one to two hours—before releasing a detainee. This was highlighted in the case of Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. The report says ICE was given just one to two hours’ notice, and when agents tried to arrest him outside a Denver jail in 2025, he assaulted an officer. This anecdote illustrates the real-world consequences of what Republicans call “sanctuary” policies, where local decisions can directly endanger federal officers and undermine public safety.
The report names specific individuals it claims have benefited from these policies, offering a human face to the national debate. Among them is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver officials. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a lengthy rap sheet including child cruelty, DUI, and drug possession, who was arrested for property damage. There is also Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national accused of aggravated assault with a weapon, whose multiple protective order violations did not trigger a federal detainer response from local authorities. The report also names at least four domestic violence arrestees in Denver and Mario Hernandez-Quiroz in Boulder, a Mexican national charged with child abuse. These are not minor infractions, and the committee argues that by ignoring ICE detainers, these sanctuary cities are allowing dangerous individuals to remain in American communities instead of being processed for deportation. It is a powerful, visceral accusation—one that pits the principle of local discretion against the federal government’s exclusive power over immigration.
Beyond the individual cases, the report outlines a systematic approach designed to keep ICE at arm’s length. House GOP investigators say internal documents reveal that the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides suspected illegal immigrants with written explanations—in their preferred language—informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This practice, critics argue, is less about informing individuals of their rights and more about coaching them to avoid cooperation with ICE. The report also alleges that Denver officials often give ICE almost no advance notice when they are about to release a wanted individual. One dramatic example involves Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. According to the report, ICE was given just one to two hours’ notice to pick him up. When ICE officers attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside a Denver jail in 2025, he assaulted an officer. This anecdote underscores the real-world consequences of local policies that prioritize non-cooperation, as federal officers are left scrambling to detain individuals who might then disappear into the community.
The report names specific individuals to illustrate the human stakes behind the policy. Among the cases highlighted is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver authorities. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a lengthy criminal history including child cruelty, DUI, and drug charges, arrested for property damage. The report also cites Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national with multiple protective order violations, arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault. In Boulder, Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, a Mexican national arrested for child abuse and failure to appear, was similarly shielded. These are not minor offenses; they involve violence, sexual assault, and danger to children. The report names them to illustrate the real-world stakes, arguing that sanctuary policies are not merely bureaucratic preferences but decisions with public safety consequences. However, it is crucial to remember these are allegations; the individuals have not been convicted, and the report itself acknowledges that ignoring a detainer doesn’t necessarily mean immediate release—it can simply delay federal proceedings.
Beyond the individual cases, the report details systemic mechanisms that local officials allegedly use to obstruct ICE. For example, the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written explanations in a suspect’s preferred language, informing them that they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This is framed as a safeguard of rights, but the committee argues it is a tool to coach criminal suspects on evading federal officers. More alarmingly, the report alleges that Denver officials often provide extremely short notice to ICE when they do choose to cooperate. In one case, ICE received only one to two hours’ notice about the release of Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. When ICE officers attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside a Denver jail, he allegedly assaulted an officer. This incident crystallizes the frustration of federal agents who see local policies as a direct threat to their operations and public safety.
The report details specific individuals whose cases exemplify the broader trend. Among them is Fernando Barrios-Ramirez, a Venezuelan national arrested for sexual assault on a child, whose ICE detainer was allegedly ignored by Denver authorities. Another is Juan Andres Holguin-Mendez, a Mexican national with a criminal history spanning child cruelty, DUI, malicious mischief, drug possession, trespassing, and evading police, who was arrested for property damage. Then there is Diego Cano-Diaz, a Venezuelan national accused of aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, and assault, yet Denver reportedly declined to honor the federal request to hold him. The report also identifies at least four individuals arrested on domestic violence charges whose detainers were likewise ignored. In Boulder, Mario Hernandez-Quiroz, a Mexican national arrested for child abuse and failure to appear, was named as another case where local authorities allegedly failed to cooperate. These are not victimless infractions; they are serious, often violent, allegations that strike at the heart of public safety concerns. However, the report is careful to note that ignoring a detainer does not necessarily mean the accused was released. Rather, it delays federal deportation proceedings, allowing the individual to remain in the U.S. while state charges are adjudicated.
The report goes beyond mere non-compliance, alleging a deliberate, systematic effort to coach suspected illegal immigrants on how to resist federal authority. House GOP investigators claim they obtained internal documents showing the Denver Sheriff’s Department provides written explanations in a suspect’s preferred language, informing them they have “the right to refuse to speak to federal immigration authorities.” This, they argue, is tantamount to instructing individuals on how to evade ICE. The report also accuses officials of providing deliberately short notice to ICE when they do decide to notify them about a suspected criminal. A glaring example involves Abraham Smith Gonzalez, a suspected member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Denver authorities allegedly gave ICE only one to two hours’ notice of his impending release. When ICE officers attempted to arrest Gonzalez outside a Denver jail in 2025, he assaulted one of the officers. This incident, GOP investigators say, is a direct consequence of local sanctuary policies that prioritize non-cooperation over public safety.
Beyond the procedural hurdles, the report levels a more sweeping accusation: that Denver and Boulder district attorneys are weighing “collateral immigration consequences” when deciding whether to prosecute illegal immigrants. In Boulder, District Attorney Dougherty is said to have emailed defense attorneys to remind them of his office’s pro-illegal alien policies, including the explicit consideration of how a conviction might affect a defendant’s immigration status. The report includes an excerpt from the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office guidance stating that attorneys “consider the immigration and other collateral consequences to a defendant in recommending dispositions.” In practice, this means prosecutors might offer plea deals that are less severe or carry a higher chance of avoiding deportation. Both Denver and Boulder, according to the report, encourage suspected illegal immigrants not to cooperate with ICE unless a judicial warrant is presented. This policy, supporters say, protects the constitutional rights of all residents and encourages victims and witnesses in immigrant communities to come forward without fear of deportation. Opponents argue that it creates a two-tiered justice system where being undocumented provides a shield from consequences.
The response from Boulder County District Attorney Dougherty was swift and defiant, dismissing the report as a “political stunt” designed to sway voters before the midterm elections. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Dougherty insisted, “My responsibility is to do justice, enhance public safety, and fight for victims. I’m not going to be distracted by political theatre or intimidated into abandoning my responsibility to protect the community and uphold the law.” He praised his staff and affirmed his commitment to Boulder County. His office also pushed back on the report’s characterization of a specific case, arguing that committee Republicans “intentionally” misrepresented it. They cited the case of an individual named Contreras, explaining that under Boulder County’s approach, the Sheriff complied with state law and prosecutors secured an eight-year state prison sentence. “When he completes that sentence, he will then face deportation,” the office noted. They argued that the alternative—handing him directly to ICE—would have violated state law and allowed him to return to his home country without facing any consequences for his crimes.
This report is the latest flashpoint in the escalating legal and political war between the Trump administration and states and cities that have adopted “sanctuary” policies. The Department of Justice has already sued the state of Maryland, accusing it of an “active and deliberate effort” to prevent deportations. The issue has become a central campaign theme for Republicans, who argue that local officials are putting illegal immigrants ahead of the safety of American citizens. Democrats and immigrant rights advocates counter that these policies build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, making everyone safer. They argue that reporting on individual cases, especially those involving alleged gang members, is designed to stoke fear and win elections. For the undocumented individuals and their families caught in the middle, the consequences are deeply personal—a knock on the door, a sudden arrest, a life uprooted. The report names names, but the real human toll is measured in broken families and the enduring debate over who gets to call America home. As the midterm elections approach, this clash shows no signs of abating.
