febrero 17, 2025

Delay in Buckley Base Adjustments Postpones Immigration Operation in Aurora

Retraso en adecuación de base Buckley pospone operativo migratorio en Aurora Delay in Buckley Base Adjustments Postpones Immigration Operation in Aurora

(Picture/Website Buckley Space Force Base)

LOGISTICAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES BLAMED FOR THE DELAY

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

Haga click aquí para leer la versión en español

The planned immigration operation in Aurora has been postponed but not canceled, according to NBC News. The delay was attributed to media leaks, which allegedly compromised the safety of federal agents. However, the justification appears questionable, as a similar leak occurred in Chicago, yet the immigration operation there proceeded as planned.

Sources suggest that the real cause of the delay could be issues with the setup of the detention center that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to use in Colorado. Insiders familiar with the plan indicate that the postponement is linked to difficulties in adapting the Buckley Space Force Base for migrant detention.

Adjustment Work at Buckley

The U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) recently confirmed that Buckley Base was allocated to ICE for immigration enforcement operations. However, last week, DHS personnel worked on conditioning another military facility, the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center. This facility has logistical limitations for a large-scale operation like the one planned, leading authority to redirect efforts to Buckley.

Still, sources report that adjustment work at Buckley could take weeks, causing uncertainty. Some officials have even discussed the possibility of relocating the new migrant detention center to Gateway to Air Force Aviation, in Pueblo, Colorado. However, for now, Buckley remains the primary option.

ICE’s Requirements

According to EFE news agency, ICE leadership issued a statement outlining specific requirements for the new migrant detention center. “ICE’s requirements for the facility include a temporary operations center, a preparation area, and a temporary detention site to receive, hold, and process undocumented immigrants.”

EFE also specifies that all processing and custody operations will be under high-ranking ICE officials, special agents, and analysts. Additionally, DHS personnel and other federal law enforcement agencies will be involved in managing the facility. This will be the first military installation in U.S. territory used for such a purpose.

Other Factors Behind the Delay

Federal agencies involved in the operation have been active in recent days, yet the number of arrests has not met expectations for a large-scale operation involving hundreds of detainees. This could also have influenced the decision to postpone the immigration action until conditions align with DHS targets.

Despite the delay, the operation remains active and could be executed at any moment. Colorado Rapid Response Network activists, who were consulted for this report, are urging the community to stay informed and report any unusual activities. “We advise the migrant community to stay informed and consult official sources to avoid misinformation,” said a spokesperson for the initiative.


You may also like:

Shelters Face New Challenges Amid Migration Policies

Denver to Join NWSL in 2026

ICE plans major raid in Aurora this Thursday