I am responding to THIS ARTICLE in Colorado Politics.
Here we go—another round of pearl-clutching over immigration enforcement, this time starring Rep. Jason Crow, who seems to think that using a military facility as a secure processing center is the equivalent of turning the U.S. Armed Forces into border patrol agents. Someone get this man a fainting couch.
Crow is positively appalled that Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, is being used to house and process criminal aliens. According to him, it “dishonors” the troops and “distracts” them from defending the nation. Cute soundbite, but let’s break that down: no actual troops are involved in rounding up, processing, or deporting illegal immigrants. ICE and DHS officials—civilian law enforcement agencies—are running the show. The base is simply a staging ground. So unless Crow thinks buildings and fences have military service records, this argument holds about as much water as a sieve.
Now, for the reality check:
1. Federal Authority Over Immigration
The Constitution explicitly gives the federal government control over immigration. Last I checked, that means it gets to decide where and how it enforces the law, whether that’s a federal courthouse, a detention center, or, oh look, a military base. It’s called jurisdiction. And if the alternative is letting rogue sanctuary cities play fast and loose with immigration law, I think we all know which option keeps things a little more consistent.
2. Efficient Use of Resources
Buckley Space Force Base is a secure federal facility already owned and operated by the government. So instead of, I don’t know, renting out a Motel 6 or setting up tents at the local soccer field, they’re using an existing site to process criminal aliens. We’re not talking about families looking for asylum—we’re talking about people who have already been convicted of serious crimes. And again, not one military member is being pulled away from their actual duties for this. If that’s still too much for Crow to stomach, I don’t know what to tell him—maybe propose an ICE processing center inside the Colorado State Capitol?
3. Public Safety Priority
Let’s be crystal clear: ICE is prioritizing people who have already committed crimes. Not speeding tickets. Not overdue library books. We’re talking violent offenders—rapists, murderers, gang members. But sure, let’s make this about “dishonoring” the military instead of, you know, keeping dangerous people off the streets. If the choice is between using a military facility to process criminals or turning them loose into American neighborhoods, it shouldn’t take a Mensa membership to figure out the right move here.
4. Respecting Military Roles
The military isn’t rounding people up, enforcing immigration laws, or doing anything beyond existing in proximity to this operation. The base is a location—nothing more. This is like saying renting out a VFW hall for a wedding “dishonors” veterans. Relax, Jason.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that this isn’t about “military honor”—it’s about keeping criminals off the streets. Using Buckley Space Force Base is legal, strategic, and efficient. But hey, if Crow wants to argue against keeping violent offenders locked up while standing on his soapbox about “honor,” he’s welcome to explain that to the victims of those criminals. Good luck with that.
