Commissioners send letter of support for UPLIFT Act
At their April 15 administrative public hearing, the Board of Mesa County Commissioners signed a letter of support to Rep. Gabe Evans pertaining to House Resolution 1680, the Unhandcuffing Police to Locate and Interdict Foreign Transgressors (UPLIFT) Act, allowing police to locate and interdict foreign transgressors.
The legislation would provide local law enforcement with the necessary tools and legal protections to effectively address illegal immigration and the crime it brings to our communities.
The commissioners stated in the letter, “The UPLIFT Act represents a much-needed step toward restoring law and order. It empowers local law enforcement to take decisive action in addressing illegal immigration and ensures that victims of violent crimes can seek justice when a local government refuses to honor a detainer request, thereby enabling a dangerous individual to go free. The bill also ensures that state and local governments are held accountable for failing to uphold their responsibilities when it comes to immigration enforcement.”
The full letter follows:
On behalf of the Mesa County Board of Commissioners, we write in full support of your Unhandcuffing Police to Locate and Interdict Foreign Transgressors (UPLIFT) Act, H.R. 1680. This critical legislation will provide local law enforcement the necessary tools and legal protections to effectively address the growing crisis of illegal immigration and the crime it brings to our communities. We commend your efforts to restore cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, a critical component in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.
The UPLIFT Act ensures that states honor ICE detainer requests and provides crucial legal protections for officers who follow federal law. It also empowers local law enforcement to share information about illegal immigrants suspected of criminal activity with federal immigration officials. This is a vital step in enabling our law enforcement officers to prevent crime and ensure that individuals who break the law are held accountable. Furthermore, the bill corrects the harmful effects of HB 23-1100, which has limited our ability to detain individuals awaiting immigration hearings, placing an additional burden on our local resources and public safety systems.
Illegal immigration continues to create significant challenges across Colorado, including right here in Mesa County. We have seen a disturbing increase in criminal activity tied to individuals unlawfully residing in our state. These crimes—ranging from drug trafficking to violent offenses—have placed an undue strain on local law enforcement, our judicial system, and public resources. Sanctuary policies that prevent cooperation with federal authorities only serve to worsen these issues, allowing dangerous criminals to remain in our communities and increasing the risks to public safety.
The UPLIFT Act represents a much-needed step toward restoring law and order. It empowers local law enforcement to take decisive action in addressing illegal immigration and ensures that victims of violent crimes can seek justice when a local government refuses to honor a detainer request, thereby enabling a dangerous individual to go free. The bill also ensures that state and local governments are held accountable for failing to uphold their responsibilities when it comes to immigration enforcement.
We appreciate your leadership on this vital issue and your tireless efforts to address the many dangers posed by illegal immigration. The Mesa County Board of Commissioners stands strongly in support of the UPLIFT Act and looks forward to collaborating with you to make our communities safer and more secure.
