ICE Captures Illegal Aliens After Sanctuary Standoff Attempt in Colorado

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested a Colombian national in Colorado on Tuesday after she attempted to seek sanctuary at a county probation office during an enforcement action, according to federal authorities.

ICE agents were initially pursuing Darwin Arriche-Sierra, 35, a Venezuelan citizen with two prior convictions for driving under the influence, when the incident occurred.

Agents attempted a traffic stop in Chaffee County, where Arriche-Sierra was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Carolina Suarez-Estrada, a Colombian citizen who was also in the United States illegally.

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When ICE agents signaled for the vehicle to stop, Suarez-Estrada instead drove to a county probation office.

Once there, she attempted to remain inside the building to claim sanctuary, but ICE officers ultimately arrested her.

When looking to evade ICE making a lawful arrest in Chaffee County, just don’t. We’ll find you, like we did Carolina Suarez-Estrada, 32, an illegal alien from Colombia who failed to stop her vehicle, drove to a county probation office and attempted to seek sanctuary inside. pic.twitter.com/LwDEPt9qEX

— ICE Denver (@ERODenver) August 21, 2025

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“ICE officers ultimately arrested her, served her with a custody redetermination and she will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings,” the agency said in a statement posted to X.

ICE officers ultimately arrested her, served her with a custody redetermination and she will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.

— ICE Denver (@ERODenver) August 21, 2025

The arrest took place as the Trump administration continues its broader effort to crack down on sanctuary jurisdictions across the country.

Chaffee County was included in a list of sanctuary jurisdictions released by the administration in May.

According to the Department of Justice, the county has declined to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently issued an ultimatum to sanctuary jurisdictions, directing them to comply with federal immigration law or face consequences.

Last week, Bondi announced that letters had been sent to jurisdictions across the country giving them one week to commit to cooperation.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, full cooperation by state and local governments in immigration enforcement efforts is a top priority,” Bondi wrote in her letter.

She added that the President had directed her to “identify sanctuary jurisdictions and notify them of their unlawful sanctuary status and potential violations of federal law.”

Bondi has stated that jurisdictions refusing to comply could face legal action from the Department of Justice, including the loss of federal funding.

The directive comes as part of a broader set of immigration enforcement measures designed to increase cooperation between local governments and federal authorities.

ICE confirmed that Arriche-Sierra, the original target of Tuesday’s enforcement action, was also taken into custody.

Both individuals are now in federal detention pending immigration proceedings.

The arrests highlight the administration’s ongoing efforts to increase enforcement in sanctuary jurisdictions, with officials vowing to continue prioritizing the removal of individuals with criminal records or pending criminal charges.

ICE has reiterated that enforcement actions will continue to be conducted in areas where it believes local cooperation is lacking, including counties and municipalities designated as sanctuary jurisdictions.

The Department of Justice has not announced whether Chaffee County will face additional penalties following Tuesday’s arrests, but officials confirmed that the jurisdiction remains under review as part of the administration’s nationwide crackdown.