ICE Requests La Plata County Jail Notify Them Before Releasing Inmates

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Key Takeaways

• ICE requested La Plata County Jail notify them ahead of releasing undocumented inmates, enabling potential federal custody transfers.
• Notification may cause delays in release processes, requiring more staff coordination, scrutiny of records, and potential operational changes.
• Families, legal representatives, and inmates must prepare for custody transitions to ICE, facing possible disruptions to release timelines.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made a formal request to sheriffs in Southwest Colorado 🌄, including those managing the La Plata County Jail, to notify its agents before the release of undocumented inmates held in local custody. This request, reported on February 22, 2025, represents a change in how local and federal authorities cooperate when dealing with individuals in the criminal justice system who may also face immigration enforcement.

More Coordination Between Local Authorities and ICE

ICE Requests La Plata County Jail Notify Them Before Releasing Inmates

The La Plata County Jail, located at 742 Turner Drive in Durango, CO, has been asked to inform ICE ahead of time when a person in its custody, believed to be undocumented, is scheduled for release. By receiving this advance notice, ICE will have the opportunity to take custody of the individuals once they are released from local detention. The timing of the notification is critical, as ICE needs adequate time to make the necessary arrangements to retrieve those they identify for further action.

This request reflects ICE’s broader strategy to work more closely with local law enforcement. It aims to ensure undocumented individuals within the criminal system do not evade potential immigration enforcement actions. While ICE has made similar requests nationwide, implementing this policy in Southwest Colorado brings its own set of logistical and operational challenges for all parties involved.

Changes to Existing Release Procedures

Currently, the La Plata County Jail follows standard release practices, which involve several steps based on the circumstances of each inmate’s detention. These can include completing a sentence, posting bail or bond, or participation in early release programs such as work or education initiatives. Compassionate releases for health reasons are also allowed in certain cases.

Under the new arrangement, notifying ICE may become an additional step in the release process for undocumented inmates. This could mean a change or even a delay in release timings, as notification and ICE’s response may add time to the process. For inmates and their families, such delays could add to their uncertainty and stress, especially if ICE decides to assume custody following the release.

Administrative Impact on Jail Operations

For La Plata County Jail staff, implementing the ICE-requested notification process will require more coordination and additional scrutiny of inmate records. Staff will need to identify individuals potentially falling under ICE jurisdiction early in their detention. Managing these notifications may result in more paperwork, added workload for employees, and potentially the need to train staff to work with ICE requests.

This shift could also affect how jail resources are allocated. For example, complying with this new procedure might require diverting staff time away from other priorities, like maintaining inmate services or ensuring smooth visitation experiences for families. The La Plata County Detention Facility, which can be reached at 970-247-1161 for inquiries, has yet to specify how it will meet these operational demands.

Impact on Families and Legal Representatives

The new procedure may significantly affect inmates’ families and their plans. In cases where a release date is affected due to ICE involvement, families and legal advisors may need to adjust their expectations and support frameworks. Ice involvement could lead to immediate transfers into federal immigration custody, leaving little time for individuals or their loved ones to prepare.

For attorneys and legal advocates, it becomes essential to prepare clients for potential ICE actions following the jail’s notification process. Individuals affected by this policy might need additional guidance on their rights and options if taken into ICE custody. This is especially important given that ICE evaluates each case individually, considering factors like prior violations or current immigration status before deciding on further action.

Timing and Broader Implications

The timing of this request aligns with continuing national discussions about immigration enforcement and local law enforcement’s role in these efforts. Some cities or counties across the United States opt to limit or decline cooperation with federal immigration authorities in various ways. However, the decision in Southwest Colorado reflects a willingness to increase collaboration. This regional shift could serve as a model—or cautionary tale—for other communities contemplating tighter cooperation with ICE.

Families relying on the jail’s current policies for communication or visitation should also consider how this might affect them. Currently, La Plata County Jail offers communication options like phone calls via Securus services, in-person visits, and video visitation. While ICE’s request doesn’t explicitly change these services, the effect on release dates and custodial arrangements could have an indirect impact on how families and inmates stay in touch.

Already-Existing System Changes in La Plata County Jail

It’s also important to note that this request from ICE coincides with other changes affecting La Plata County Jail and its operations. In late 2024, county commissioners voted to end a significant agreement with the city of Durango. Previously, this agreement allowed Durango to house municipal offenders in the facility. Starting January 1, 2025, municipal offenders from the city will need alternative detention arrangements unless local officials create a new agreement.

Although these adjustments concern a different inmate population—mainly individuals held for minor municipal violations—their timing adds another layer of complexity for jail administrators, who already face mounting operational changes.

Another concern tied to ICE’s request is information privacy. La Plata County Jail maintains a publicly accessible online inmate roster that lists information about people held in the facility. Whether this system could play a role in ICE’s identification and notification process is not yet clear. If it does, this raises questions about the balance between transparency regarding public records and the protection of personal data for inmates not yet convicted of immigration offenses.

Broader Impact on Justice System Stakeholders

This policy change affects more than individuals detained on immigration charges. By increasing the workload for jail staff, it may create ripple effects that impact all areas of jail operations. For instance, detainees involved in educational, work release, or in-custody rehabilitation programs might face unexpected delays or fewer resources due to staff time being redirected toward handling ICE notifications.

From a legal perspective, attorneys representing inmates might also be required to engage with ICE representatives or file additional motions if ICE custody actions disrupt expected outcomes for their clients.

Moving Forward

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office will play a key role in how successfully this change is implemented. They will need to provide clear, consistent communication to the community, jail employees, and those in custody about any procedural updates. Understanding potential impacts and minimizing confusion will be critical to ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.

Moreover, careful monitoring of the effects on various stakeholders—including the jail staff, the wider community of Southwest Colorado, and federal agencies—will provide a clearer picture of the practical implications of such arrangements.

In summary, ICE’s request to La Plata County Jail to notify them before releasing undocumented inmates represents a change to local practices in Southwest Colorado. This development could impact everything from release procedures and resource allocation to family planning and legal counsel. As it unfolds, ongoing evaluation will be key to understanding the immediate and long-term effects on inmates, families, and the broader community. For further details on ICE policies, you can visit ICE’s official website. As always, VisaVerge.com continues to provide reliable insights into developments in immigration and detention practices worldwide.

Learn Today

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating illegal cross-border activities.
Undocumented Inmates → Individuals in custody lacking legal immigration status or authorization to reside in a particular country.
Notification Process → A system used to inform agencies, like ICE, about specific actions, such as an inmate’s release from detention.
Compassionate Release → Early release of inmates based on health concerns or humanitarian reasons, allowing them to leave custody before their sentence ends.
Jurisdiction → Legal authority an organization or agency has over particular types of cases, people, or geographic areas.

This Article in a Nutshell

ICE Collaboration with Southwest Colorado Jails Sparks Debate

ICE’s request for La Plata County Jail to notify them about undocumented inmate releases highlights a shift in federal-local collaboration. Critics raise privacy concerns and operational challenges, while supporters argue it strengthens enforcement. This change reshapes release processes, impacting families, legal representatives, and jail resources, sparking broader discussions around immigration enforcement nationwide.