ICE took away his wheelchair

ICE is completely out of control.

Last week, Greenwood Village Pastor Edward Nalwamba was finally released after spending 13 months in ICE detention. He fled persecution in Uganda for his pro-democracy beliefs and has spent decades living and preaching in Colorado.

Ahead of his release, our staff visited the detention facility and asked GEO staff to provide a wheelchair to get him to his ride home. Pastor Nalwamba cannot walk.

GEO staff assured us they would. But after allowing him to use a wheelchair from his crowded cell to the facility’s entrance, they took it away.

When the doors opened, the other detainees walked out. Pastor Nalwamba couldn’t. He was left stranded until other detainees came back and carried him to his ride.

No wheelchair. No human decency.

There is no excuse for this cruelty. None.

Last week, we visited Pastor Nalwamba. He’s recovering and in good spirits, but fears ICE will detain him again.

President Trump vowed to go after the “worst of the worst.” A 78-year-old pastor who fled persecution for his pro-democracy views, has spent decades serving his community and caring for people with disabilities is anything but.

His treatment is yet another example of how broken ICE and our immigration system have become.

We’ve repeatedly voted against giving ICE more money and have put forward legislation to help stop their lawlessness.

What we’ve witnessed under the Trump administration is a reign of terror. And Pastor Nalwamba’s ordeal is just one example.

We’re celebrating his release, but our work isn’t over. We will continue demanding accountability for the treatment of Coloradans and fighting for an immigration system worthy of our nation’s values.