Boulder County, Colo. - District Attorney Michael Dougherty is responding and pushing back on a congressional inquiry from House Republicans targeting Colorado communities (including Boulder, Colo.) over state immigration laws, calling the effort political theater that ignores serious failures within the federal immigration system. Dougherty believes that this country needs secure borders and that immigrants convicted of a crime should be subject to deportation with due process.

Dougherty emphasized that his office prosecutes violent criminals regardless of immigration status and follows Colorado law while prioritizing public safety. Our office, also, fights for the rights of immigrants. Victims of domestic violence and sex assault should be able to call 911 without fear that they will be deported as a result of calling the police. And prosecutors should be able to prosecute cases to completion before ICE swoops in, deports a defendant and denies justice for our community.

“Local district attorneys do not write federal immigration law. Congress does,” Dougherty said. “If Washington politicians are serious about immigration enforcement and public safety, they should focus on fixing the broken federal system instead of attacking Colorado prosecutors who are doing the real work of protecting communities.”

The inquiry comes just weeks after Dougherty’s office secured a guilty plea to all charges and Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) sentence against the perpetrator of the deadly Boulder firebombing and antisemitic, hate crime attack that injured numerous victims and killed 82-year-old Karen Diamond.

The defendant in that attack was reportedly in the United States illegally after overstaying a visa.

“I am committed to fighting for public safety, supporting victims, and doing justice. Congress, on the other hand, has been accomplishing remarkably little. Also, federal systems failed to stop the firebomber before innocent people were harmed, even when his attempted purchase of a firearm was denied due to his immigration status” Dougherty said. “After the attack, I worked with our law enforcement partners, fought for the victims, and secured justice.”

Dougherty said the case highlights the disconnect between political rhetoric coming from Washington and the real work being done by prosecutors on the ground.

“Congressional politicians can send letters and hold press conferences,” Dougherty said. “My office is the one that prosecuted this violent offender, secured a life sentence without parole, and stood with victims throughout this horrific case.”

The District Attorney’s Office will continue focusing on violent crime prosecution, victim advocacy, and community safety.

Our office is committed to our public safety efforts for all people in Boulder County and we will continue to fight for all community members, regardless of immigration status.