New I.C.E. offices being built in El Paso, Fremont Counties
Story By: David Ortiviz
Source: KOAA
Published Wed Oct 08, 2008, 08:20 PM MDT
Updated Wed Oct 08, 2008, 09:53 PM MDT
The federal government is expanding its deportation program in Southern Colorado to crack down on illegal immigrants. El Paso and Fremont counties will both get new offices to investigate and deport the thousands of immigrants who are living in our country illegally.
Last year in the Unites States more than a quarter of a million illegal immigrants were captured and deported. More than 5,500 of them, were found in Colorado and Wyoming. "I don't see the issue of immigration getting simpler immediately," said Larry Lasha, Fremont County Commissioner.
In Fremont County, southwest of the airport there are plans to build a new 11,000 square foot processing center for illegal immigrants awaiting deportation. But this will not be a detention facility. "They bring them in and they process them through here, photograph them," says Lasha.
The office will relocate from a building near the Pueblo Airport, where their lease is about to expire. Meanwhile, construction is also underway in Colorado Springs. El Paso County Commissioners say Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to open a new investigation office near Pikes Peak and Wasatch, scheduled to open by early next year.
Back in Fremont County, Commissioner Larry Lasha says they're happy to see one of the new projects go up here. "This really worked out for us, as far as our plan," said Lasha.
"Its very hard for us to compete with the dollars of El Paso and Pueblo counties," said Lasha. The county owns 38 other industrial lots nearby, and is trying to get more business to move here, and bring more jobs. I think we're going to be very compatible and competitive in the market," he added.
Fremont County commissioners say they expect up to a dozen people to work in the new I.C.E. office. The project should be complete within about 9 months.
