This article first appeared in the Colorado Times Recorder.
A career fair hosted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Colorado Springs this week drew protests from local activist group Migra Watch, who rallied outside the Double Tree Hotel with signs protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Our basic mission, our community goal is to tell ICE that they’re not welcome in our neighborhood,” said Mel Flores, one of the protest organizers. “So this would be welcoming them into our neighborhood, allowing them to peacefully have a job fair here and thinking they could just come in here and recruit our kids and our neighbors, and we’re not gonna do that. We’re not going to stand for that.”
In May, charges against Flores – an Army veteran who was facing three Class 2 misdemeanor charges for allegedly obstructing ICE surveillance activity last year – were dropped as part of a plea deal in a separate case that stemmed from Flores “obstructing a highway or passageway” during a Jan. 10 protest in Colorado Springs. While both CBP and ICE are under the Department of Homeland Security, they are two distinct agencies. ICE was not involved in the Colorado Springs hiring event.
“They all do the same thing,” said Flores. “It’s all the same. Customs and Border Patrollers, they wear ERO [patches on ballistic vests] too, they wear all different types of little badges, they’re all doing the same shit. They’re coming in, kidnapping our neighbors, they are not even nowhere near the border.”
Shawn Maddox, an organizer with 50501, also noted CBP’s connections to ICE activities. “Border Patrol has played a role in a lot of these things,” she said. “There’s not been a huge separation, there have still been incidents where Border Patrol has — I think one of the killings this year actually was from Border Patrol, and [they have] been acting outside of their boundaries.”
In January, two unarmed people were shot and wounded by CBP. “Only one day after an ICE officer was almost ran over in Minneapolis, two vicious Tren de Aragua gang members—let loose on American streets by Joe Biden—weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a Jan. 9 press release. “The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them. Thankfully, no law enforcement was injured as these criminals fled. Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines arresting terrorists, gang members, murderers, pedophiles, and rapists. They are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. The violence must end.”
According to reporting from The Guardian, “Court records obtained by the Guardian reveal a Department of Justice prosecutor later directly contradicted DHS’s Tren de Aragua statements in court, telling a judge: ‘We’re not suggesting … [Niño-Moncada] is a gang member.’ An FBI affidavit issued following the incident also suggests that in the previous shooting cited by DHS, Zambrano-Contreras was not a suspect, but rather a reported victim of a sexual assault and robbery. Neither Niño-Moncada or Zambrano-Contreras have prior criminal convictions, their lawyers have said.”
The purpose of this week’s Colorado Springs event is “recruiting for mission-critical roles in law enforcement and mission operations support,” read a CBP news release. “Open positions include Border Patrol agent, Customs and Border Protection officer, air interdiction agent, marine interdiction agent, criminal investigator, general attorney, and more.”
Home to five separate military installations, Colorado Springs has a rich pool of veterans to draw from. CBP’s news release noted that “veterans are encouraged to apply and bring digital copies of all paperwork. The in-person event provided access to recruiters who answered questions and offered guidance on applications, resumes and interviews. According to the news release, new CBP officers and agents may be eligible for up to $60,000 in incentive payments for certain locations. Participants at the event hoping to secure employment included uniformed military personnel as well as civilians, including one gentleman with a “MAGA 2nd Amendment” shirt.
During CBP’s hiring event, which is taking place July 7-9, the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber held their monthly luncheon Wednesday at the same hotel. Joe Aldaz, president of the Hispanic Chamber, declined to comment, citing the “non-partisan” status of his organization. The Hispanic Chamber seems to be “non-partisan” in the same way Rocky Mountain Voice’s Freedom Festival, which featured almost exclusively Republican speakers, was “non-partisan.” Colorado Springs City Councilor Dave Donelson was the featured speaker, and Peak Republicans reserved one-third of the tables at the event. Attendees included Rep. Mary Bradfield (R-Fountain), HD16 Republican candidate Jill Haffley, Republican El Paso County Assessor candidate Becky Fuller, and El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal.
After declining to comment, Aldaz had Double Tree Hotel staff remove this reporter from the premises.
