Denver city council ends car theft tracking to protect undocumented immigrants
- The Denver city council voted unanimously to end an auto license plate tracking system created to combat car theft due to concerns over ICE accessing the data.
- This decision was driven by fears that data could lead to deportations of undocumented immigrants who reside in the area.
- The action has sparked debate, with critics arguing that it compromises public safety in favor of shielding illegal aliens.
In early 2024, Denver, Colorado, launched an auto license plate tracking system intended to combat car theft. This system, set up around 70 intersections, was successful in scanning approximately 2 million vehicles monthly, leading to the recovery of 170 stolen cars and over 300 arrests. However, concerns emerged when the city council recognized that the data could be accessed by various law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising fears about potential immigration enforcement actions against undocumented immigrants. In May 2025, amidst heightened concerns about these implications, the left-leaning city council unanimously voted to terminate the $666,000 contract with the Flock system. Council members argued that prioritizing community safety was essential, but they felt that the potential misuse of data by ICE could compromise the safety of immigrant communities. Criticism arose around the decision, with opponents accusing the council of prioritizing undocumented individuals over the safety of residents. Councilman Kevin Flynn and other supporters cited the changing political climate under the Trump administration as crucial in mandating this decision. In contrast, police officials highlighted the system’s role in reducing crime and assisting major investigations. Yet, city leaders, including Mayor Mike Johnston, emphasized the need for new approaches to surveillance technology considering the current community anxieties around immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, similar sentiments were echoed in Providence, Rhode Island, where the city council initiated a program distributing bilingual mailers to educate residents about their rights if confronted by ICE. This initiative was part of a broader response to the perceived threats posed by the Trump administration's immigration policies, reflecting an ongoing tension in many American cities about balancing law enforcement needs and the rights of immigrant populations amidst a climate of fear and uncertainty.