Why Lakewood Needs Real Protection from ICE Overreach.

This week, I stood before the Lakewood City Council to address a terrifying reality for our neighbors. While the Council recently issued a declaration of "transparency and de-escalation" regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the events we witnessed just days ago on South Ingalls Street prove that words alone are not enough.

We don’t just need a declaration; we need a defense.

The Reality on the Ground

On February 28, a federal operation turned a quiet neighborhood into a scene of chaos. We saw reports of pepper spray used on community members, damaged property, and families left shaken. While the Lakewood Police Department (LPD) stated they did not participate in the operation, the mere presence of federal agents acting without clear, local oversight creates a breakdown in public safety.

When people are afraid to call for help because federal agents are roaming their hallways, everyone is less safe.

My Demand to Council: From Words to Action

In my address, I challenged our leaders to go beyond the "pro-community" sentiment and implement hard policies:

Mask Bans for Federal Agents: Just as Denver is moving to ban law enforcement from using masks to hide their identities, Lakewood must do the same. Accountability is impossible when those wielding power are anonymous.

Warrant Verification: We cannot simply take the word of federal agencies. Our city must ensure that any federal activity on private property is backed by a judicial warrant, protecting the Fourth Amendment rights of all residents.

Resource Protection: We must ensure that zero city resources—not even a single officer’s time for "perimeters"—are used to facilitate operations that bypass constitutional protections.

Building a Stronger Lakewood

A strong community is built on trust, not fear. I am calling on the Council to make Lakewood a leader in civil rights by turning their recent declaration into a binding policy that protects every resident, regardless of their status.

We are watching. We are organizing. And we will continue to demand action.

How You Can Help

Join the Conversation: Have you seen ICE activity in your neighborhood? Share your story with us at progres4all so we can document these impacts.

Contact Your Reps: Email the City Council and ask them when the "Declaration of Transparency" will become a "City Ordinance of Protection."