County officials raise due‑process concerns after release followed by ICE pickup; congressman pledges attention to constitutional protections

County officials raised concerns with Congressman Hunter about instances in which local criminal charges were dropped but individuals were taken into federal custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after release from the county jail.

Speakers described a local case in which charges were dismissed in the county but the individual was later picked up by ICE and transferred to a federal detention facility. Commissioners and the sheriff’s office said constituents are worried about administrative errors and the prospect that people who have not faced local conviction could be removed without having had an opportunity to appear in local court.

“Do you care about this? Are you doing anything about it?” a commissioner asked. Congressman Hunter replied that he cares about due process and that the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment protections should be followed, noting there are legal challenges in Colorado district court and at higher levels. He said it is incumbent on the executive and legislative branches to ensure lawful court orders are followed.

Hunter said his staff tries to understand underlying facts before taking public positions and that he would review constituent concerns with his office. County officials sought clarity on the interplay between local criminal processes and federal immigration enforcement; no changes in law or policy were adopted at the meeting, and no formal enforcement request was made to federal agencies during the session.