ICE Mistakenly Arrests Durango Father and Children Amid Protests

URGENT UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mistakenly identified and arrested a Durango father, Fernando Jaramillo-Solano, along with his two children earlier this week. The incident has ignited widespread protests across the Colorado mountain town, drawing attention to ICE’s controversial arrest practices.

During a court hearing on October 22, 2023, Gregory Davies, a senior enforcement official at ICE, confirmed that agents had misidentified Jaramillo-Solano while he was driving his children to school on Monday morning. Despite the mistake, they proceeded to arrest him and his children without warrants, a move that is permitted under certain circumstances but is now under scrutiny.

Davies testified that ICE typically conducts thorough research and surveillance on targets prior to arrests, but acknowledged that agents failed to recognize Jaramillo-Solano during the stop. “It’s my understanding that the father was mistaken for somebody else when (ICE) encountered him,” he stated, adding that the family has been transferred to a detention center in Dilley, Texas.

This incident is part of a larger lawsuit filed by four individuals detained by ICE in Colorado, alleging that the agency has routinely arrested immigrants without proper verification of their legal status and without assessing the risk of flight. The plaintiffs are seeking a judicial ruling to declare these arrest practices illegal.

The ongoing legal battle raises critical questions about ICE’s operational guidelines. Attorneys for the plaintiffs highlighted that Jaramillo-Solano and his children were engaged in an active asylum application, which typically should protect them from such actions. However, Davies dismissed this, claiming that asylum processes do not equate to active immigration court proceedings.

The situation escalated further when it was revealed that Marina Ortiz, a Douglas County teacher, was also arrested during a routine immigration appointment last week, despite being legally authorized to live and work in the U.S. She and her family are now detained at the same facility in Texas as Jaramillo-Solano.

The federal court hearing, which took place over two days, concluded with Judge R. Brooke Jackson remarking on the substantial evidence presented by the plaintiffs, indicating that unlawful arrests may be a pattern rather than isolated incidents. He noted the testimonies from ICE officials, including former Denver ICE chief Robert Guadian, who stated that the agency targets individuals living in the U.S. illegally.

As discussions continue, the emotional toll on families affected by these arrests is significant. Plaintiffs testified about the chaos and financial strain resulting from their detentions, with some forced to move in with relatives or incur significant debt for legal representation.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds and as the court deliberates on the future of ICE’s arrest practices in Colorado. For immediate updates, follow our coverage or sign up for our newsletter.