COLORADO SPRINGS — In an exclusive ride-along, FOX21 News joined officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Denver as they carried out targeted enforcement actions aimed at locating at-large fugitives in Colorado Springs.
Early Morning Briefing and Operation Plan
The day began just before 5 a.m. at an undisclosed location, where ICE officers gathered for a morning briefing. There, they identified their targets, outlined tactical plans, and addressed safety protocols.
“We are going after some criminal targets, some at-large fugitives from ICE,” said Robert Guadian, Denver Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. “This is what we do 365 days a year; 95% of these people have been released from county jails.”
Guadian emphasized the department’s public safety mission, explaining that Colorado law limits ICE’s ability to detain individuals inside local jails. “We have to conduct these at-large operations… at work, at home, or in between,” he said, adding that the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is one of the few agencies that cooperates fully.
Rising Assaults and Interagency Coordination
Guadian noted a sharp rise in assaults against ICE officers—up nearly 400% in recent months. As a precaution, all detainees are now transported in full restraints including handcuffs, belly chains, and leg irons.
ICE frequently partners with federal agencies during enforcement actions. “Today, we have ATF with us,” said Guadian. “Typically, we also work with the U.S. Marshals, DEA, HSI, and others. It’s a whole government approach.”
Fugitive Targets and Surprise Arrests
The day’s mission focused on two fugitives who had defied immigration judges’ removal orders and were evading ICE.
“They’ve absconded… they don’t want ICE to arrest them,” Guadian said.
While the original targets weren’t located, officers arrested three other individuals during a traffic stop. Each matched the description of the targets and was confirmed to be in the U.S. illegally, with criminal histories:
- Juan Padilla-Patino, 24 – Entered illegally from Mexico
- Angel Torres-Castro, 26 – Entered illegally; has pending DUI charges in Colorado Springs
- Samuel Gutierrez-Nunez, 46 – Entered illegally; has two DUI convictions in Colorado
“These arrests could have been made in a secure jail setting,” Guadian stated, “but due to state limitations, we’re forced to make arrests in public settings.”
Processing at Florence and Aurora Facilities
After their arrest, the three individuals were processed at the ICE Florence Sub-Office. Bennie Salazar, Supervisory Detention & Deportation Officer, explained the process.
“There are no beds or blankets here,” said Salazar. “They’ll be processed within 12 hours and then transferred to a longer-term facility.”
From Florence, the detainees were taken to the ICE Aurora Detention Facility, which houses about 1,500 people and has immigration judges on site.
ICE Prioritizes “The Worst First”
Guadian concluded by reinforcing ICE’s enforcement priorities.
“ICE’s focus is on the worst first,” he said. “That means individuals who entered the country illegally and committed a crime while here. They pose a public safety risk, and removing them is a top priority.”
He also highlighted ICE’s commitment to law enforcement coordination and public safety: “We are prosecuting when we can, and we are removing as quickly as possible.”
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