Guest Columnist – Security, Dignity, and Truth: My Commitment to Immigration

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by our guest columnists do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of this publication.

Representative Gabe Evans, Colorado’s 8th District

Immigration is not a theoretical discussion for me; it is deeply personal. I am the proud grandson of Mexican immigrants, a U.S. Army combat veteran, a former police officer and supervisor, and the only Hispanic member of Colorado’s congressional delegation.

I represent one of the most diverse districts in the state.

 I have seen firsthand how a broken immigration system harms our communities, and how political fear-mongering only makes the situation worse. This conversation deserves to move forward with honesty. My approach to immigration is based on three fundamental principles.

First: Secure the border

A country without a secure border cannot protect its people or enforce its laws. Disorder at the border does not benefit immigrant families; it benefits cartels, traffickers, and violent criminals.

The lack of control allows illegal drugs, such as fentanyl, to flood into our communities and claim thousands of lives. As a combat veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, I know what it means to protect our nation. Border control is not anti-immigrant; it prioritizes safety.

Second: Crush the cartels and violent criminals

Law enforcement must focus on those who pose a real danger: traffickers, gang members, and criminals. We should be arresting gang members—not grandmothers. Resources must be directed toward the worst criminals, not hardworking families who live peacefully and contribute to their communities.

That is why I joined my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Conference to demand that ICE prioritize violent criminals and transnational organizations, rather than individuals with no criminal record.

Third: Create legal pathways for decent people

The United States needs a legal immigration system that actually works. Immigrant workers and families deserve legal options. That is why I support the Dignity Act, a proposal that combines border security with a modernization of the legal immigration system. A functional system reduces exploitation, brings people out of the shadows, and restores trust.

We must also reform labor programs such as H-2B visas, which are essential for agricultural economies like the one in my district. When legal pathways fail, they push workers and employers into impossible situations. Therefore, this reform is not optional; it is necessary.

It is time to separate fact from fiction. There are no mass raids in churches, schools, or fields in my district. The widespread panic that some are promoting does not reflect the reality of our area. Fear may be a convenient political tool, but it destabilizes communities and traumatizes families.

Certain political actors have an interest in stoking fear to win votes. That is not leading by example. Being a leader means calming tensions, not exploiting them. As the only Hispanic voice in Colorado’s congressional delegation, I will not allow anyone to use my community as a political tool.

Hispanic families, small businesses, and workers deserve truth, transparency, and respect—not scare tactics. Accountability in law enforcement is essential, and it begins with communication. My office maintains regular contact with ICE because you cannot oversee an agency if you refuse to talk to them.

At the same time, I want to be clear: our office protects the confidentiality of information for every person who contacts us, and we never share personal data with any federal agency without the constituent’s consent. Community trust is fundamental, and we guard it responsibly.

To strengthen that trust, I voted in favor of $20 million to equip all ICE agents with body-worn cameras. Body cameras protect civil liberties, prevent abuses, and support agents who act professionally.

As a former police supervisor, I believe deeply in the rule of law. I have fired officers who abused their authority. Law enforcement must be firm, fair, and accountable. The United States can secure the border, dismantle criminal networks, and treat people with dignity. We do not have to choose between security and humanity.