Aurora Officials say President's Orders on Immigration Won't Impact City Policies

"The City of Aurora stands in support of families in our community," Mayor Robert O'Connor told the Beacon News. "The very fabric of Aurora is interwoven with the stories of immigrants of the past and present."

O'Connor said Aurora has no plans to change policies or protocols following the presidentials executive orders on immigration.

An executive order signed on Jan. 25 called for increased enforcement of immigration laws and an end to federal funding to jurisdictions that do not comply with federal immigration regulations. Another executive order signed on Friday initiated a review of the government's visa and refugee policies.

Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman told the Beacon News that her department only contacts federal immigration enforcement agencies when they arrest a violent offender who is undocumented. Aurora police do not inquire about the immigration status of non-violent offenders.

"We have made a great investment in the human beings that live in our community and have worked diligently to earn their trust as (a) police department that acts with legitimacy and fundamental fairness," Ziman told the Beacon News. "My priority is that the law-abiding citizens (including undocumented) feel as though they can call the police to ask for assistance or to report a crime."

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