EXCLUSIVE: GOP Reps Criticize ‘Open Border Policy’ That Led to Migrant ‘Takeover’ in Colorado

Republican lawmakers criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s “open border” and local “sanctuary” policies for contributing to the Venezuelan gang that is reportedly terrorizing several apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado, according to a letter sent Friday.

GOP lawmakers alleged in the letter to local and federal leaders that the “immigration crisis in Colorado” was being fueled by Democratic “asylum policies” like those in Denver. The letter was co-signed by Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, and Colorado Republican Reps. Lauren Boebert, Doug Lamborn and Greg Lopez.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s open border policies, combined with Colorado’s asylum policies and Denver’s asylum city status, have fueled and exacerbated Colorado’s immigration crisis,” the lawmakers said in the letter, which was obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

NEW: Mayor of Aurora, Colorado suggests federal government may have freed up money to send Venezuelan gangs to Aurora.

The armed gangs took over apartment complexes and acted as landlords, collecting rent. They now control parts of the city and violent crime is skyrocketing. photo.twitter.com/UcfGI9Z2hB

— Libs from TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 30, 2024

Denver law firm Perkins Coie investigated and confirmed that TdA had taken over the Whispering Pines Apartments in Aurora in late 2023, CBS News reported. Since then, the gang has committed numerous violent assaults, threats, extortion and child prostitution.

“Multiple local elected officials and the independent law firm Perkins Coie, which was hired to investigate the takeover, have confirmed that numerous criminal acts were committed by TdA gang members, including threats of murder, robbery, extortion, trespassing, assault and battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, drug-related offenses, stolen vehicles, human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors,” the letter said.

In one case, a consultant at the property management complex was “beaten and beaten so badly by gang members that he was hospitalized,” according to CBS News. The migrants also allegedly stabbed a resident for refusing to pay “rent” to their gang.

Republican lawmakers say the border crisis between Biden and Harris is to blame.

Vice President Kamala Harris, tasked with serving as the administration’s “border czar,” has overseen more than 10 million encounters with migrants since she and President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, according to CBP data.

As more migrants flood into the country, the city of Denver has allocated more than $70 million since January 2024 to provide housing, transportation and food to more than 40,000 illegal immigrants, the Denver Gazette reported.

“Non-sanctuary cities and adjacent communities have been harmed by this policy and do not have the resources or authority to combat the influx of illegal aliens and TdA gang members,” the letter reads.

The GOP letter was addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Christopher Wray, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner, Homeland Security Investigations Deputy Executive Director Katrina Berger and Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis.

Polis and other local government officials initially denied reports of the migrant takeover, calling it a “feature” of the “imagination” of Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky.

“The governor has already informed the mayor that the state stands ready to support local law enforcement with assistance from state agents and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation if needed,” Shelby Wieman, a spokesperson for Polis, told the New York Post. “But according to police intelligence, this alleged invasion is largely a function of Danielle Jurinsky’s imagination.”

The White House press office, Harris’ campaign team and Polis’ office did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.