Colorado Springs Mayor addresses deportation
Jan 23, 2025
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — At the Colorado Springs City Administration building Thursday, Mayor Yemi Mobolade faced tough questions about immigration, deportation, and migrants.
"When it comes to the immigration conversation, there's a lot that we don't know and frankly a lot that has not been asked of me yet. So most of my engagement with this topic has been more or less speculation," said Mobolade.
He said he looks forward to a great relationship with the new presidential administration, and that the city is actively discussing what the new executive orders mean for us.
"You have federal laws, you have state laws. The rule of law is important to me as Mayor," said Mobolade.
He says he has good communication with non-profit organizations that work with immigrants. Through those talks, he says he's learned that the number of people those non-profits serve, has gone down.
"No real concern, just because we haven't had the influx like some other Colorado cities have had. Right now, I haven't heard from them. There are no concerns right now. We don't expect any concern," said Mobolade.
He added that he encourages people not to fret because what he's seeing from the White House on the topic is more about public safety. He says his point of view aligns with the governors.
"We're a nation of immigrants. It's part of who we are as a country. This mayor came in as an immigrant, and immigrants add to the quality of life and vitality of this great city and region and of our great country. So, I'm grateful for so many of them that are adding to the flourishing of our community. It's important that we separate facts from gossip, fact from fiction," said Mobolade.
He also added that while deportation and ICE are more of a federal issue, he does support holding criminals accountable.