Lakewood has reason to be concerned about being placed on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) list of sanctuary cities. Email records show they do not comply with federal immigration law, nor do they plan to. Sanctuary was not granted through official vote of City Council; however, sanctuary from federal immigration law was undertaken behind the scenes while using word games to muddy the issue. From the emails, it appears that some Lakewood City Council Members do not appear to know the full extent of Lakewood’s defiance of federal law. On the other hand, DHS knows more than is publicly apparent – which makes sense because they are the ones that have been stonewalled for years. So although Lakewood does not pay for migrant support, it is clear that there is good reason for Lakewood to be placed on a sanctuary list, no matter the word games Lakewood plays.
Lakewood City Council has repeatedly denied being a sanctuary city – which is true if defined by formal vote. However, it is not true that Lakewood does not provide sanctuary for illegals. Lakewood DOES provide sanctuary by not verifying immigration status or cooperating with DHS.
In the beginning of the sanctuary city debate, the general public understood that a sanctuary city was just that – a safe place where your immigration status wouldn’t be questioned or held against you. Lakewood never made a public motion or official policy stating that they are a sanctuary city but it is apparent that they fully embrace and enable the state’s sanctuary status rather than federal immigration enforcement.
No emails asking for removal
When Lakewood was placed on the sanctuary city list, Lakewood did not issue a denial. There are no emails to DHS asking to be removed. That would be the first, honest, response from a city that was NOT acting as a sanctuary and was complying with federal immigration law. That’s what Aurora did. There is no email evidence that occurred in Lakewood. There are no emails asking why Lakewood is on the list. This is despite the fact that there is email from Senator Bennet’s office showing that jurisdictions with questions should reach out via email to SanctuaryJurisdictions@hq.dhs.gov.
The official response to City Council was a bland email stating that Lakewood staff didn’t know why they were on the list or that they were concerned.
Again, parsing the words carefully, staff “didn’t know why they were on the list” is different than “we have no idea why we are on the list.” Lakewood management may not have known the exact reason DHS was citing, but Lakewood would have known what internal procedural changes have been made over the years. Or perhaps Lakewood assumed they wouldn’t be singled out from other cities in Colorado who may have adopted similar, pro-sanctuary polices. Probably, they could rely on not having an official vote cast for sanctuary, which appears to be the case for some Councilors.
Someone must have known there is a reason to be concerned, or they would have asked questions openly and honestly. Instead, Lakewood proceeded by investigating “delicately” (see email below).
Lakewood declined to comment to the Denver Gazette and Denver 7 inquiries. A quick Google search could find no comment in any press coverage on the subject although Mayor Strom did reply to an msn.com inquiry.
Official Response to City Council
Don’t Draw Attention to Sanctuary Policies
Nowhere anywhere did our investigation turn up evidence that Lakewood cooperates with DHS and ICE on immigration matters. There was never a suggestion that the situation was a misunderstanding. There was no proof emailed to DHS that Lakewood is indeed cooperating with federal immigration. There was one email showing that a Lakewood employee signed up for e-verify for the first time on Monday, June 2, in what may be a coincidence or a panicked response.
In this case, Lakewood appears to have taken the approach that the less said the better because Lakewood cooperates with state law. Colorado sanctuary law is obviously intended to conflict with federal law. Lakewood’s cooperation with the state may be seen in multiple subversive actions, rather than one blanket vote by city council for “sanctuary”.
And in fact, Ben Goldstein wrote: “Overall, I think the best strategy is to keep our heads down on this one, but perhaps the cat is out of the bag now” (see below).
Lakewood Does Not Cooperate With Federal Immigration
Proof that Lakewood provides sanctuary by not cooperating with DHS is shown in several ways besides being unable to deny the charge:
Lakewood insists that complying with Colorado’s sanctuary law is federally legal
Does not use DHS database to identify people
Lakewood will not certify that it cooperates with DHS policies
Slow response to DHS request
There are also a couple things conspicuously missing:
Email communications to DHS regarding the situation.
Emails with explanations from City Manager Kathy Hodgson
An official denial that Lakewood is a sanctuary
Evidence that Lakewood is willing to comply with federal immigration law
Join us for a potluck dinner at Addenbrooke Park on June 26, 5:30-9 pm and meet others who are concerned about the city. Bring your stories to share through the Lakewood Informer.
Meet Lakewood Informer authors to get the latest information and meet your fellow residents. Discuss actions to get Lakewood’s attention on critical issues.
–Karen Gordey on selling out neighborhoods –Lenore Herskovitz on affordable housing –Nancy Pallozi on Emory Elementary -Jim Kinney on elections -Updates on Belmar from Regina Hopkins –Issues like sanctuary cities, The Bend, home rule, and getting organized –We don’t all agree on any of these items but it’s a starting point for discussion
Tickets are free but a $10 donation would help defray costs for shelter rental and make future events possible. Hot dogs provided.
Bring shareable food dishes at 5:30 for a meeting start time of 6 pm. Small group discussions start at 7 pm Wrap up with solutions at 8 pm Capture your stories with video for sharing all night! Must be vacated at 9 pm Will be held rain or shine
Tickets are limited, so please reserve asap. Maximum 2 tickets per person. Ticketing will be enforced to ensure park capacity limits do not prevent the meeting from happening.
There is a $10 suggested donation to cover costs (like park permit).
We have a lawless incompetent federal administration
Why do you just go along with that? Your advocacy for a racist government that denies habeas corpus makes you a mere propagandist.