A Colorado county sheriff publicly declared his office will no longer work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after dozens of community members demanded an end to cooperation with federal immigration authorities during a heated public meeting.
Sheriff Reverses Policy During Public Meeting
Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie announced the policy change during the August 4 county commissioners meeting after numerous residents urged him to stop cooperating with ICE. The sheriff expressed concern about potential consequences, warning that federal agents may conduct operations independently throughout the community without local coordination. One resident told commissioners that approximately 60 people had been detained by ICE in the county over the past 18 months, prompting the wave of public opposition to continued cooperation.
The sheriff’s emotional response came after sustained pressure from community members who questioned the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. His statement marked a significant shift in policy for the rural Colorado county, though he cautioned residents about unintended outcomes. Sheriff Murdie did not respond to media requests for additional comment following the meeting.
Federal Response Highlights Safety Concerns
The Department of Homeland Security defended ICE cooperation with local jurisdictions, emphasizing public safety implications. According to the agency’s statement, coordination with local law enforcement prevents dangerous criminals from returning to communities and reduces risks associated with at-large arrests. Federal officials argued that when local agencies decline cooperation, ICE officers must conduct operations without local knowledge or assistance, potentially creating more disruptive enforcement actions in residential areas and public spaces.
What This Means for the Community
The decision places Gunnison County among jurisdictions limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, a practice supported by some communities but criticized by others. Sheriff Murdie’s warning about uncoordinated federal operations highlights tensions between local autonomy and federal enforcement priorities. Without local cooperation, ICE agents typically conduct independent operations, which can involve workplace raids or residential sweeps. The county now faces questions about how this policy change will affect both public safety and immigration enforcement in the rural mountain community of approximately 17,000 residents.
So the sheriff is going to break the law because a bunch of liberals intimidated him. Pathetic.
Simply – “I stand with ICE”. They are there to enforce the laws and keep American Citizens safe.
Put that fucking sheriff in prison.
Cowardly sheriff. The sheriff is last in line to enforce the Constitution. Now that he is breaking the law he can be legally arrested.
Complete idiot. He’s putting his own officers in danger. In unity there is strength.
He shouldn’t be Sheriff!
I agree with your comments!
Sounds to me like the sheriff is more concerned about reelection than he is about enforcing federal law.
Absolutely! Vote this cutless one out. Chicken poo-poo.
Protect and serve. Sounds like the Sheriff is doing just that. Amen.
Was thinking about Colorado, for Vacation, not now, why go to a place that defends criminals.
The 1st time a law breaking illegal alien kidnaps, kills, rapes, assaults a law abiding legal U.S. citizen, blame the Sheriff and then sue him and his office. $5,000,000.00 sounds like a good start for a “Soft on Crime” spinless Sheriff.
ICE, thank you for enforcing the law to keep criminals out of our country.
While you’re at it why don’t you thank ice for all the Americans they’re arresting and killing while they’re doing their job it’s arrest people, kill people and abuse people that are Americans and ask questions later. We have to ask ourselves why do they have no consequences for their actions when they do things like this?
I’ll put the blame on the Leftists that allowed unrestricted border invasion in the first place! Crossing the border – without going through a border checkpoint is in fact ILLEGAL.
The what about the literal hundreds if not thousands of actual US Citizens that are victimized, robbed, raped or killed by those same ILLEGAL CRIMINAL INVADERS.
I believe you are exaggerating the facts. ICE is needed to get the criminals out of our country that Biden/Harris and the Demon-Rats let in. This has cost our country lots of money and lives because of them.
He just damaged his Department’s Budget because he will no longer received any Federal moneys due to his weak stance on crime.
He just damaged his Department’s Budget because he will no longer received any Federal moneys due to his weak stance on crime. Let’s also remember he is an elected Sheriff and all he cares about is his re-election not crime in that County.
What a sorry piece of work. Can’t stand for anything… Remove him from office. Get the illegals out of our country.
Did those idiots crying about the people that had been detained ever take into consideration that if you dont interfere with federal law enforcement officers that are conducting the job they are fully authorized to be doing, your dumbass won’t get detained. The Sheriff of that county has no business being in law enforcement anywhere, and should turn his badge in immediately. Especially if he is going to allow himself to be told how to do his job by people who break the law.
He doesn’t represent public safety or the average taxpayer he’s supposed to be serving. His allegiance is obviously to the progressive/socialist party.
What a frikkin moron!!!! Hope he doesn’t get victimized by one of ILLEGALS!
I too hope he doesn’t get victimized by one of his illegals, but as soon as an illegal commits a crime, I do hope it is the Sheriff and his family instead of some innocent tax payer who pays his salary even though he makes spineless decisions thereby promoting weak borders which generate more crime.
In closing, I really prefer no one becomes a victim, but if U.S. Trespassers are going to attack, it only makes sense that those weak on crime become the target. Maybe losing a family member to a border hopper will teach a soft on crime person to wake up.
What This Means for the Community..
more theft, rape, child rape, petty larceny, higher taxes, fraud.
Higher bills at the doctor and hospital.
Less opportunity for Americ
That averages out to 3.3 people per month. I bet you have that many DUI’s. Are they going to stop the sheriff from arresting people driving under the influence?
I agree with others that the Sheriff should beheld accountable for any crimes perpetrated by any illegal aliens crimes going forward. And personally responsible for replacing the federal funds his actions cost the county. And I’m sure there are several county commissioners who could share in both responsibilities as well.
Don’t know when the next election for sheriff will be. But would make damn sure he is apposed by
pro-American challenger. And the next County public meeting I’d try to get at least 200 pro-ICE people to show up to counter there 60 paid protester that might show up.
Loud and proud and defiantly protest for the American People. It’s time the People to Remind there employees (elected officials) who they work for… Not the Foreigners but for Us.
People want lawlessness and they will get it in the 7 year tribulation coming sooner than people think. This is a covenant nation and once take God out of school prayer, take The Ten Commanments and say you don’t need Him anymore. You get darkness and that’s exactly what we have now. People get unhinged and don’t know what’s going on.