Man Escapes ICE Custody
A confrontation in Denver on Friday has raised serious legal and constitutional questions, after a group calling itself “Colorado Rapid Response” allegedly intervened in a federal law enforcement operation targeting an illegal alien wanted for serious crimes overseas.
Federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI were attempting to apprehend Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, a Salvadoran national residing illegally in the United States. Leon-Deras is not only in violation of U.S. immigration law, but is also reportedly wanted in Italy in connection with a sexual assault on a child.
During the attempted arrest, members of the activist group “Colorado Rapid Response” appeared at the scene and, according to witnesses and initial reports, disrupted the operation.
Thanks to Democrat obstruction of ICE agents, a convicted child rapist is now on the loose in America. https://t.co/mbNAHpYBwd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 21, 2025
Their actions are now under scrutiny, with legal experts pointing to 8 U.S. Code § 1324, which outlines criminal penalties for individuals who harbor, conceal, or shield illegal aliens, or otherwise assist them in evading federal authorities.
The statute is clear. Anyone who, “knowing or in reckless disregard” of an individual’s unlawful status, attempts to harbor or shield that person from detection—or encourages them to remain unlawfully—can face serious legal consequences. These include federal charges, substantial fines, and potential prison sentences of up to 10 years.
Given the nature of Leon-Deras’s background and the circumstances of Friday’s event, questions are now being raised about whether members of “Colorado Rapid Response” knowingly interfered with a lawful federal arrest. The group’s apparent disregard for the suspect’s legal status, coupled with his international criminal warrant, could meet the legal threshold for prosecution under the harboring statute.
Thus far, no charges have been filed against any members of the activist group. But federal officials may come under pressure to take action, particularly given the public safety implications and the precedence such non-enforcement might set. The Department of Justice has not commented on whether any investigation is underway.
Federal immigration law applies uniformly across all states. Local political attitudes—however sympathetic to open-border ideologies—do not negate or override federal jurisdiction. If activist groups continue to interfere with law enforcement, they could face serious legal ramifications.
Observers note that while many parts of Colorado remain committed to rule of law, the growing influence of activist organizations in urban centers is testing the limits of federal enforcement. Whether charges will follow remains to be seen, but the law is unambiguous: aiding an illegal alien in evading capture—particularly one wanted for violent crimes—carries criminal liability.