Trump Highlights Migrant Crime in Aurora as City Sees Crime Decline
Aurora, Colorado, home to over 400,000 residents, has found itself in the national spotlight as former President Donald Trump prepares to rally there. Trump is painting the city as a “war zone” caused by an influx of Venezuelan migrants, despite official data showing a decline in crime rates. Trump’s message, however, focuses on an isolated August incident where armed men, allegedly part of a Venezuelan gang, were caught on video extorting tenants in an apartment complex.
Trump, speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, emphasized what he calls a “migrant crime wave” and linked it to Aurora, warning that immigrants are “taking over” the city. He also criticized the local Venezuelan gang activity, portraying the city as a dangerous environment. His campaign announcement even called Aurora a “war zone.”
Reality of Crime in Aurora
In contrast to Trump’s portrayal, Aurora’s crime rate has been following a national downward trend. Police and local authorities have confirmed that the city remains relatively safe. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Colorado Governor Jared Polis pushed back against Trump’s claims, asserting that the city is far from being overrun by crime. Coffman remarked, “Aurora is considerably safe—not the city overrun by Venezuelan gangs as described.”
In August, a video surfaced showing armed men, allegedly a Venezuelan gang, threatening residents in an apartment complex. Police have since arrested one of the suspects, and local tenants say that the situation has improved significantly. Edward Ramirez, a tenant in the complex, noted, “It’s been nice and calm… it’s quiet, we can work, it’s normal.”
Despite the single incident, statistics show that Aurora’s crime dropped by 12% in September compared to the same month last year. Police Chief Todd Chamberlain acknowledged that there had been a slight uptick in crime when migrants arrived in 2023, but this trend has since reversed.
Trump’s Rhetoric and Local Pushback
Trump’s narrative mirrors previous false claims, such as those about Haitian migrants in Ohio, where misinformation led to panic and bomb threats. Trump has repeatedly used isolated incidents of migrant crime to rally support, branding the immigration situation as a threat to the country’s safety. He even suggested that Venezuelan migrants in Aurora have better equipment than the U.S. military—a claim widely discredited by officials and locals alike.
Gov. Polis reiterated that Aurora is much safer than Trump is portraying, adding that, “Things are going really great, and I don’t want this bizarre counter-narrative out there.” Aurora, the third-largest city in Colorado, is also home to a significant immigrant population, with one-fifth of its residents born outside the U.S.
Ongoing Challenges for Venezuelan Migrants
While many in Aurora report feeling safe, challenges remain for the migrant population. Many Venezuelans awaiting asylum cannot obtain work permits for months, which has created tension in some neighborhoods. Councilman Dustin Zvonek pointed out that local businesses, including Walmart and Walgreens, have closed due to theft concerns.
However, Zvonek also emphasized that Aurora’s overall crime rate has been dropping, although he acknowledged the seriousness of isolated incidents like the one in August. “It’s always not a big deal until it happens to you,” he said, reflecting the concern of some residents.
As Trump heads to Aurora for his rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, located 10 miles from the affected neighborhood, he continues to emphasize his anti-immigrant message ahead of the 2024 election. Despite local pushback and declining crime rates, Trump’s rally is expected to focus on the narrative of a city in chaos.
Source: AP
