By Wylee Mitchell | KJCT8 News
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – “I don’t think this is a republican issue or democratic issue. This is an issue of economic security, national security, and we need to follow the law,” Congressman Jeff Hurd said.
Despite ongoing ICE protests across the country, the Department of Homeland Security said they will continue to crack on illegal immigration.
Congressman Hurd represents the 3rd District in Colorado, which includes Mesa County. He said removing criminals who are in the country illegally should be a top priority.
“Being here in the United States illegally is a is a violation of federal law. But I think what we’ve seen is certainly a focus on the individuals that are here illegally, that have committed additional crimes.”
While we may not be directly along the southern border, Hurd says its security still impacts Western Colorado.
“One of the things that’s we campaigned on was making sure that we have a secure border, making sure that our communities are safe, that we stop the flow of drugs and crime coming across our southern border,” he said. “I will tell you the people that benefit from illegal immigration are the drug cartels. They’re making billions of dollars smuggling people and drugs across our border. That’s not just an issue for states that border Mexico. It’s also an issue for places like Mesa County and Delta County, Montrose County and Pueblo County as well. Stopping that flow of drugs and crime is something that’s really important from my perspective.”
Earlier in the week protesters took to the streets in Grand Junction to oppose ICE raids. Hurd supports the First Amendment right to protest, as long as it is peaceful.
“There’s a difference between that and what we’re seeing in Los Angeles and other places. And I think when we cross that line between lawful protest and lawlessness and chaos and destruction, I think it’s right for the federal government to step in,” the congressman said. “I think law and order is something that’s important to all of us as Americans and again respecting the right to peaceably protest is something that we should believe in and support. But when that crosses the line to violence and anarchy, we need to make sure that law enforcement has the resources and tools that it needs to keep the peace.
When asked about the military’s involvement in trying to keep the protests under control, he said he believe the National Guard and other federal agencies are a back-up to local law enforcement.
“I support the president’s efforts to make sure that we support law enforcement in these areas and make sure that when ICE is conducting its operations, it can do so safely,” he said.