Aurora ICE Processing Center
Aurora, Colorado · 30 well-documented stories
What stands out here
Conditions that appear in a larger share of this facility's stories than of facility stories in general. Stories run from Feb 2025 to Oct 2026.
Nothing stands out against facilities in general; the most documented conditions here:
- Medical requests ignored10% vs 15%
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Shackled or chained3% vs 6%
Shackled, chained, zip-tied for long periods, restrained during transport or medical care, or held in a restraint chair.
- Overcrowding3% vs 6%
Held in a space far over capacity: a holding cell, a bus, an airport facility, a tent.
share of stories hereacross all facilities
Everything the stories describe here
- Medical requests ignored · 3 stories
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Shackled or chained · 1 story
Shackled, chained, zip-tied for long periods, restrained during transport or medical care, or held in a restraint chair.
- Overcrowding · 1 story
Held in a space far over capacity: a holding cell, a bus, an airport facility, a tent.
- Extreme heat or cold · 1 story
Held in a freezing or dangerously hot space (hieleras, no heat, no air conditioning in summer).
- Food or water withheld · 1 story
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- Punished for complaining or organizing · 1 story
Isolation, transfer, lost privileges, or threats after the person complained, filed a grievance, spoke to media, organized, or joined a hunger strike.
In their words
“Even though I want to be as happy as I could be because I'm free, I'm just mad and I'm hurt because I lost five months of my life.”
“Chantal came to the United States lawfully in early 2023 on a J-1 exchange visitor visa as an au pair. She followed the rules of her program and, before it ended, timely filed an application with U.S. immigration authorities that allowed her to remain in the country while her case has been pending. For more than three years, she has continued to live here with federal authorization and has worked legally under employment authorization issued by the U.S. government.”
“It’s just shocking and scary because she’s definitely a friend to all of us, and she’s a wonderful person and not somebody I would consider a danger to society.”
Stories
Edward N.: Priest, 78, held by ICE 13 months, untreated illnessEdward Nalwamba, 78, a Ugandan priest living in Colorado over two decades, was freed after 13 months in ICE detention, having to be carried out after losing the ability to walk.Aurora, CO · Oct 20, 2026 · CBS News, indcatholicnews.com
Feride B.: Turkish restaurant worker zip-tied by ICE at Wyoming bus stop between shiftsFeride Bardakci, 26, who worked two restaurant jobs in Jackson, Wyoming, was zip-tied by ICE at a bus stop and driven 270 miles to detention over an alleged visa overstay. She has no criminal record and is contesting deportation.“It’s just shocking and scary because she’s definitely a friend to all of us, and she’s a wonderful person and not somebody I would consider a danger to society.” — Monica RozziJackson, WY · Sep 16, 2026 · KHOL 89.1, Cowboy State Daily, Jackson Hole News and Guide +1- Alberto A.B.: Man held without bond hearing in Aurora, Colorado detention facilityA man held at a Colorado detention facility won a court order for a bond hearing within seven days, after arguing he was unlawfully denied one under immigration detention law.Aurora, CO · Aug 31, 2026 · CourtListener
Feliciano P.S.: Brazilian man rearrested by ICE four days after immigration judge set bondFeliciano Paulino Soares, a Brazilian man living in Connecticut, was rearrested four days after a judge ordered his release on bond, this time during a Utah speeding stop. A judge has again ordered him freed.Connecticut · Aug 27, 2026 · Colorado Politics, The Gazette, MidPage +2- Detainee with active tuberculosis at Aurora ICE facility, GEO withholds medical recordsA detainee at the GEO Group-run Aurora ICE facility tested positive for active tuberculosis, and Colorado health officials say the company withheld records needed to trace possible exposure among others there.Aurora, CO · Aug 20, 2026 · Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Sun, Courthouse News +4
Chantal M.R.: Ecuadorian au pair detained by ICE at Denver airportChantal, a 27-year-old Ecuadorian au pair, was pulled from a jetway at Denver airport despite having a pending work authorization application. She spent six weeks detained before release on bond, now with an ankle monitor.“Chantal came to the United States lawfully in early 2023 on a J-1 exchange visitor visa as an au pair. She followed the rules of her program and, before it ended, timely filed an application with U.S. immigration authorities that allowed her to remain in the country while her case has been pending. For more than three years, she has continued to live here with federal authorization and has worked legally under employment authorization issued by the U.S. government.” — Laura Lichter, attorney for Chantal Morales RojasDenver, CO · August 18, 2026 · TIME, Newsweek, CBS News +12- Marco R.H.: Colorado man deported to Mexico by ICE despite order barring his removalMarco Uriel Rodriguez Hernandez was deported to Mexico despite a judge's order barring his removal, after being secretly transferred to Texas and denied contact with his attorney. A judge ordered officials to facilitate his return.TX · Aug 8, 2026 · Denver Gazette, Colorado Politics
Josue A.H.: Immigrant with special juvenile status held in prolonged ICE detention in ColoradoA young immigrant granted special protection for abused or abandoned children was ordered released from Aurora detention after a judge found his prolonged custody unlawful.Denver, CO · Aug 2, 2026 · Government Publishing Office, Times Union, USCIS +1- Nayel S.B.: Mexican woman arrested without warrant by ICE in Wyoming, held in ColoradoA Mexican woman was detained without a warrant after a Wyoming DUI stop and held in Aurora, Colorado. A court found the arrest unlawful and ordered her released within 24 hours.Aurora, CO · Jul 23, 2026 · CourtListener
- Agustin C.T.: Man held at Aurora, Colorado ICE facility seeks release without a lawyerA man held at the Aurora, Colorado ICE facility filed a handwritten petition challenging his detention. A judge gave him 30 days to fix filing errors or face dismissal.Aurora, Colorado · Jul 16, 2026 · CourtListener
- 12 detainees contract tuberculosis at Colorado ICE facility, quarantined without air conditioningA Mexican man in his 30s with health conditions was among 12 detainees who contracted tuberculosis at a Colorado ICE facility, quarantined with healthy detainees as air conditioning failed amid 100-degree heat.Aurora, CO · Jul 14, 2026 · Factum Immigration, Sentinel Colorado, The Guardian
- William M.C.: Diabetic Nicaraguan man held by ICE despite no removal plansA 48-year-old Nicaraguan man held at Aurora ICE Processing Center since July 2026 says he lacks adequate care for diabetes and hypertension, even though ICE has no plans to deport him.Aurora, CO · Jul 1, 2026 · CourtListener
Rigoberto S.Q.: Stepfather of U.S. citizen held 8 months by ICE without bond hearingRigoberto Santillan-Quiroz, a stepfather to a U.S. citizen who has lived here about twenty years, was held eight months without a bond hearing after a traffic stop. A court ruled the denial unlawful.Aurora, CO · Jul 1, 2026 · ACLU, Lux Vera Hall, Albuquerque Journal +11- Joel S.E.: Father of two U.S. citizen toddlers arrested by ICE at DMVA Peruvian asylum seeker and father of two U.S. citizen toddlers, working in A/C mechanics, was detained after leaving the DMV in July 2026. A court ordered his immediate release without conditions.Aurora, CO · Jul 1, 2026 · CourtListener
- Alice G.A.: Venezuelan asylum applicant arrested at ICE check-in appointmentA Venezuelan asylum seeker who complied fully with GPS monitoring and court dates was arrested without warning at a routine ICE check-in in June 2026. A judge ordered ICE to give her a bond hearing by July 31.Aurora, CO · Jun 29, 2026 · CourtListener
- Luis P.R.: Man held at Aurora, Colorado detention center seeks release or bond hearingA man held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora is seeking release or a bond hearing to challenge his continued detention. A court has temporarily blocked his removal from Colorado or the country while the case proceeds.Aurora, CO · Jun 23, 2026 · CourtListener
- Woman granted protection from torture still held at Aurora detention centerA detained immigrant woman at the Aurora facility sought release while fighting a removal order, arguing she needed it to take part in her case. A judge denied her request.Aurora, CO · Jun 10, 2026 · CourtListener
- Wardy A.L.: Man held at immigration detention center in Aurora, Colorado seeks releaseA man held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora has asked a court for immediate release, which ordered that he cannot be moved from Colorado or the country meanwhile.Aurora, CO · May 12, 2026 · CourtListener
William O.R.: Man with dementia held by ICE, then lost five hours in DenverWilliam Ortiz-Rivera, a man in his 70s with dementia, was released from Aurora ICE Processing Center before 8 a.m. without notice to his attorney, then lost for five hours in 83-degree Denver heat.Aurora, CO · May 11, 2026 · Denver Post, CBS News
Diana M.R.: Mother of two drops self-deportation plan after husband deported from AuroraDiana Marquez Ruiz, a single mother of two, planned to self-deport after her husband was removed from Aurora detention center but turned back on the drive, unwilling to leave her family dog behind.Centennial, CO · May 4, 2026 · Denver Post- Josue G.H.: Family breadwinner with U.S. citizen daughter detained by ICE after 25 yearsA man held at Aurora ICE Processing Center after 25 years in the U.S., with five citizen siblings and a citizen daughter, worked in construction as his family's main earner. A court ordered him released, finding his detention improper.Aurora, CO · Apr 3, 2026 · CourtListener
Rudy V.M.: Roofer with U.S. citizen wife held four months by ICE, health decliningRudy Villeda Mejía, 47, a Honduran roofing business owner and trafficking survivor married to a U.S. citizen, was held four months before a judge ordered his release, which left him stranded in Louisiana without ID.Denver, CO · Mar 30, 2026 · Grand Junction Sentinel, CourtListener, Sentinel Colorado +6- Elmer G.S.: Honduran father of U.S. citizen children arrested by ICE at his homeA Honduran father of U.S. citizen children who has lived here over 20 years, owns a home and pays taxes was held after a judge denied him a bond hearing. A court ordered his immediate release.Fort Pierce, FL · Mar 30, 2026 · CourtListener
- Pablo M.B.: Man in U.S. 18 years held by ICE without bond hearingA man who has lived in the U.S. for eighteen years was detained in January and held in Aurora, Colorado. A judge ordered a bond hearing within seven days, ruling the government must justify his continued detention.Aurora, CO · Jan 20, 2026 · CourtListener
Pedro G.: Durango father forcibly removed from car by ICE in front of daughterPedro Gutierrez, 43, a 22-year Durango resident and church music director, was pulled over and arrested near his home on New Year's Eve in front of his 16-year-old daughter.Durango, CO · Jan 1, 2026 · Durango Herald, KSUT
Marcos F.: Denver bassist held by ICE over a month, denied bondMarcos Flores, bassist for the band Summer of Peril and brought to the U.S. as a young child from Mexico, has been held over a month at Aurora detention center after his bond was denied.Colorado Springs, CO · Dec 23, 2025 · Westword, The Mosh, Colorado Public Radio +1
Jeanette V.R.: Activist mother held 9 months by ICE after protestJeanette Vizguerra, a 43-year-old activist and mother of four, has been held nine months at Aurora's GEO facility after her March arrest. Her lawyer says she was denied a bond hearing over her activism.Aurora, CO · Dec 19, 2025 · CourtListener, CourtListener, American Friends Service Committee +2
Caroline D.G.: Brazilian nursing student held by ICE 15 days after traffic stopCaroline Dias Goncalves, 19, a University of Utah nursing student who came to the U.S. at age 7, was held 15 days after a Colorado traffic stop before being released on bond and joining a lawsuit against ICE.Grand Junction, CO · Jun 20, 2025 · Denver Post, Latin Times, Denver Gazette +10
Ana C.L.: Rock Springs business owner with work authorization held five months by ICEAna Cañedo Luna, co-owner of a Rock Springs food truck and nightclub, was detained after a traffic stop despite valid work authorization and freed five months later to reunite with her wife.“Even though I want to be as happy as I could be because I'm free, I'm just mad and I'm hurt because I lost five months of my life.” — Ana Cañedo LunaRock Springs, WY · Jun 19, 2025 · Wyoming News, Green River Star- Juan: U.S. citizen teacher's husband held over a year by ICE in AuroraJuan, held over a year at Aurora's ICE facility after a 2025 raid, married Denver teacher and U.S. citizen Lucie Donovan while detained as she fights his deportation.Denver, CO · Feb 5, 2025 · Denver Post
Where people stood at the latest report
Each square is one percent of these stories. Read it with care: people who are still detained or already deported have far less access to reporters and lawyers than people who were released, so this mix reflects who gets covered more than how cases end.
- Deported 3%
- Still detained 50%
- Released 40%
- Unknown 7%