Garfield County Jail may still be collaborating with ICE

About four months after Voces Unidas first submitted reports to the Colorado Attorney General of suspected illegal collaboration between the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and ICE, we are still receiving reports that suggest the same pattern is continuing.

Voces Unidas has received new reports of similar ICE arrests happening inside the county jail when people are expected to be released. In multiple cases, families say their loved one was ordered released or posted bond — but never walked out.

There are now at least six cases where those directly impacted are claiming that the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is potentially coordinating with ICE to deport community members who do not appear to have federal warrants. 

The cases involve a mother of four, a long-time valley worker, and others who were arrested for minor charges such as driving without a license.

In most cases, a judge either ordered the person released without bond on personal recognizance, or the person did post bail, but family members waiting for them report that the person never made it outside of the jail.

Instead, it appears that ICE is present at the jail at the moment the person is being released, and the person is transferred into ICE custody. In some cases, this transfer has reportedly happened within 24 hours of the arrest.

The two initial cases shared with the Colorado Attorney General include the story of Luis who in June 2025 was arrested outside of a Walmart by Garfield County sheriff’s deputies, and then transferred to ICE custody in the back of a gas station. Luis has since been deported.

In another case, a man missed his initial court hearing after being arrested because he was transferred into ICE custody just an hour before his hearing. Deputies confirmed it happened in the jail’s sallyport.

A jail sallyport is a secured, enclosed entry point used for transporting people in custody.

Allowing ICE to detain inmates in the sallyport raises serious questions about coordination rather than coincidence.

This is why we have pushed for stronger state-level protections, including measures that expand transparency around when and how local agencies cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and ensure that entire law enforcement agencies — not just individual employees — can be held accountable when state law is violated.

Similar reports have continued month after month.

Voces Unidas is still waiting for an update from the Attorney General about the two first cases. We plan to file further reports very soon and urge the AG to act swiftly.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, and others that may be acting similarly, are not being transparent about their actions, and they are not targeting people convicted, or even charged, with serious offenses. This pattern undermines trust in local government, destabilizes families, and deepens fear across our communities. When people believe a minor charge can lead to deportation, they are less likely to report crimes, cooperate with law enforcement, or show up in court.

We urge state officials to look further into these reports and to ensure that local governments are following state laws — and that any violations are addressed immediately and publicly.

To report civil rights violations, call our hotline at 970-340-8586.