Amid growing concerns around increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Steamboat Springs, a Tuesday morning social media livestream documented officers arresting two men on Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club property.

The video posted on Facebook shows Enforcement and Removal Operations officers — or arresting officers working under ICE — forcibly taking two people into custody.

The driver in the video drives onto the property, then stops next to three vehicles, including two large grey Ford SUVs. The officers are seen urging the driver to go away.

The driver gets out of the vehicle and says, “Why are you stopping my guys?” as one officer escorts a man with his hands behind his back.

As the confrontation continues, one ICE officer tells the driver that he is “impeding a federal investigation” and that the officers will arrest him, too.

“They’re my workers, they’re my workers,” says the driver in the video. “They didn’t do anything for you guys to stop them. They didn’t do anything.”

The situation escalates as two officers pull the passenger out of the stopped vehicle and pin him to the ground on his stomach.

The video later shows the two SUVs driving out of the property, with the two people in custody inside.

Property Manager at Alpine Mountain Ranch and Club Audrey Williams noted that she had seen the video and confirmed that it was on the ranch’s property, but she was not at work when the arrests occurred.

Williams added that the ranch gates open around 6:45 a.m. each morning and remain open during business hours for the public to access various construction sites across the property. 

According to Jerry Hernandez, the executive director of the local organization Integrated Community, ICE activity has also been seen at a construction site in town and at a bus stop on 7th Street, where three people were said to have been arrested.

While Hernandez did not have an exact number of people who were taken into custody, he confirmed that two people in custody were currently en route to Denver. 

“One of the things that we had confirmed was that ICE could not and did not engage in traffic stops,” said Hernandez. “So we were telling our clients, ‘Don’t worry, they can’t pull you over.’ But apparently, that’s not the case because of this branch (Enforcement and Removal Operations).”

Hernandez said one of the men arrested in the video was issued an “order of removal,” which was most likely the reason for the traffic stop. However, Hernandez noted that the man had been “compliant” with his court dates.

Police Chief Mark Beckett said law enforcement has not recently communicated with ICE about an increased presence or recent arrests, but noted that this isn’t unique to Steamboat Springs.

“We’re hearing from different sheriffs and chiefs across the state … ICE and (Enforcement and Removal Operations) are operating without any notification,” said Beckett. “We haven’t been approached. Our policy is still what it was (earlier this year), which is we’re not going to participate in enforcement action. That’s probably why they aren’t notifying any local agencies anymore.”

“What they told us originally was they were going to focus on those who were actually wanted criminally, like gang members,” continued Beckett. “But, you know, all I have to go on is the same thing you’re seeing.”

Beckett added that he couldn’t be sure if ICE is arresting migrants without criminal histories, but noted that the Steamboat Springs Police Department “continues to support all of our populations, including the undocumented community.”

Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar also said he was unaware of an increased ICE presence in the county, and noted that the sheriff’s office does not participate in any immigration enforcement.

“Unfortunately … (ICE) has put themselves in a silo right now, so we don’t hear anything at all,” Beckett said. “And frankly, I don’t think we’re going to. I think that’s going to be how they will continue to move forward. They’re just going to do whatever they’re going to do.”

Scherar encourages anyone concerned about an increased ICE presence in the community should reach out to Integrated Community for assistance.

“I know the community is very, very afraid and concerned,” said Hernandez. “We have families that are not sending their kids to school or that are not going to work because of this.”

For those impacted, Hernandez stressed utilizing “Know Your Rights” websites and other resources provided by Integrated Community. 

“These types of events can cause high levels of anxiety and mental health stress on children,” Hernandez added. “It’s important for us to continue to be supportive of each other.” 

“We make (the links) available to our clients so that they can be informed when someone comes knocking on their door. Regardless of status, you have rights,” Hernandez explained. 

Hernandez also emphasized taking steps to plan ahead, like putting a legal fund in place, establishing a caregiver for children or placing “Know Your Rights” cards in vehicles and houses. 

“If (migrants and immigrants) are in a mixed-status household, who can pick your kids up from school? That all needs to be spelled out ahead of time,” said Hernandez. 

“We understand that law enforcement has a job to do … We recognize that,” said Hernandez. “Our position is that we’re going to continue to be a source of help for the immigrant population in Steamboat because they’re a vital part of this community.”

To contact Integrated Community, visit CiicColorado.org/contact-us. 

For resources on rights, visit TinyUrl.com/3cx2ndm3.

This story is from SteamboatPilot.com.