Executive Order 152
By: Cecilia Fountain
4/9/26
As of April 2, 2026 the Mayor Mike Johnston has signed Executive Order 152. This order is a major step in fighting against the immigration crackdown that has been terrorizing cities. Specifically, the new order has 3 major impacts: the first is that it will ban ICE agents from using city-owned property. Next, it will mandate police body cameras during federal actions, and finally and most importantly it will allow local police to arrest ICE agents. This new order has been signed due to recent killings by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Hopefully, setting firm new boundaries on ICE agents to safeguard public space and ensure accountability when those boundaries are crossed.
The first major impact from this order is that it will ban ICE agents from using city owned property. These ICE agents can not use city owned property like buildings, parks, and streets for the arrest of immigrants without a warrant. This will help to build communal trust between the state and the people within it because people won’t have to fear that an ICE agent will break into their home or office.
The next major part of this order is that police from as small as local to as large as federal level agents must wear body cameras during federal action. Although this is already a requirement the new order updates the rule around it. It mandates that police will have to wear an Axon Body 4, which is an advanced secure camera that will help city and law enforcement to get more accurate data on operations, ensuring that no illegal action occurs during federal action. This holds more ICE agents accountable for when they get involved with local protests, which has resulted in many Americans being injured and even killed in the past. Creating a safe environment to help Americans be able to practice their first amendment of freedom of speech.
The last most important part of this order is that it will allow local police to arrest ICE agents. Mayor Johnston explains this rule by stating during the signing of the bill that, “If we see any ICE officer using excessive force against the Denver resident, we will step in to detain that officer and remove them from the situation” then furthers by stating, “We hold our own officers to that standard, and we will hold any ICE agent to the same. If an ICE agent assaults or shoots or kills a civilian in Denver, we will investigate and prosecute that crime as the facts demand, regardless of what the federal government does”. The mayor is referring to if a local instate police officer catches an ICE agent committing these acts.
Establishing this order in Denver is a crucial step. Only a few other cities like Chicago and Minneapolis have established executive orders like order 152. Meaning that if Denver does it hopefully others will follow. Helping protect people from the federal overreach that ICE is known for. Ensuring trust within the community stays strong.
Denver policies seek to protect city residents from federal immigration enforcement
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/26/denver-authorizes-police-to-step-in-against-ice-force-00802629
https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/2/executive-orders/documents/xo-152.pdf
https://dcj.colorado.gov/dcj-offices/oajja/body-worn-cameras
https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2026/02/26/denver-mayor-says-city-police-will-detain-ice-officers-using-excessive-force/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIf%20we%20see%20any%20ICE,what%20the%20federal%20government%20does.%E2%80%9D