DENVER (TND) — The driver of a semi truck involved in a deadly Denver, Colorado crash last week was in the U.S. illegally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told The National Desk (TND) Wednesday.
Mexican citizen Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, 47, entered the U.S. illegally in 2002, according to ICE. An immigration judge later the same year ordered he be removed from the country after being arrested on local charges in Oregon. Cruz-Mendoza has since either been removed from the U.S. or voluntarily returned to Mexico 16 times.
The Mexican national reportedly received charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, driving a commercial vehicle with no qualifications and reckless driving related to the June 11 crash on US Highway 285. He allegedly drove off the road while hauling pipes and angle iron, rolling the semi onto its side, according to ABC7 Denver. The load fell on top of five vehicles, killing one driver and injuring another, the outlet reported.
Officers closed the highway for over 12 hours following the incident. ICE says it has filed a detainer, which requests that local authorities hold a suspect while it weighs further removal proceedings.
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Denver estimates it has spent $69 million to provide incoming migrants with shelter and food since December 2022, with $25 million going toward housing. The city’s 2024 newcomer budget allocates $89.9 million for these expenses, with $51.7 million earmarked for providing housing and food for new asylum seekers.
In April, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston touted his decision to cut back on $45.9 million worth of expenses to funnel more money toward migrant services.
“The budget includes new sources of funding from internal cost-saving measures such as reduced hiring for difficult-to-hire positions, fewer supplies purchases, and the deferral of some technology and capital projects,” Johnston said.
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