Otero County Reaffirms Opposition to Sanctuary Status, Cites Lack of Resources for Uninvited Migrants

Description: Otero County Commissioner Tim Knabenshue Responded to SECO News Reader Questions Regarding Otero County's Stance on The Department of Homeland Security Labeling it as a Sactuary County on May 30, 2025... Commissioner Knabenshue Cited Resolution #2024-06, which was Passed on March 11, 2024 and is Included in this Article...

Otero County Commissioner Tim Knabenshue Responded to Constituents Asking Where Otero County Stands Regarding Its Inclusion on the Department of Homeland Security List of Sanctuary Counties.

"Otero County was shocked as well and never contacted by DHS. We passed a resolution as well in 2024 saying we are not a sanctuary county. Ty Winter and Congressman Hurd are working on getting Otero removed from the list," Knabenshue said.

Furthermore, Knabenshue said, "Since Otero County is a small rural county our resources, space, services and budget are limited and we cooperate and side with our Sheriff and Law Enforcement on this issue."

Resolution #2024-06

OPPOSING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND SUPPORT FOR UNINVITED MIGRANTS

WHEREAS, The Otero County Board of County Commissioners firmly believes any person immigrating to the United States should do so in a legal manner, following all applicable laws; and

WHEREAS, the present surge of uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants on the Southwest Border is negatively impacting numerous communities across the country; and

WHEREAS the continued and increasing number of uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants arriving by bus loads into Denver has caused the City of Denver to declare an emergency on Dec 15th, 2023, as their resources were overwhelmed; and

WHEREAS, the saturation of the urban Colorado resources to support uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants has already led to some dispersion into rural areas of Colorado and creates the possibility of groups arriving in the Arkansas Valley and Otero County;

and

WHEREAS, Otero County lacks the infrastructure and other resources necessary to accommodate any number of undocumented persons and/or illegal immigrants including sheltering, social services, public health, and public safety.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Otero, Colorado, that:

1. Otero County is NOT a sanctuary county and will not open shelters or provide services to uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants that may arrive in the Arkansas Valley and in Otero County.

2. Otero County will continue to place the needs of our local citizens first above requests for emergency or long-term assistance from non-citizens.

3. The Otero County Board of County Commissioners calls upon the United States Congress as well as the United States Executive Branch to immediately restore the rule of law along the Southwest Border by enforcing existing laws and rapidly creating a system to allow reasonable vetting of migrants who may then enter the United States legally and become productive members of this country.

This resolution shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and adoption.

Adopted this 11th day of March 2024.

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