In Denver, Colorado, activists opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully prevented agents from apprehending an illegal immigrant wanted in Italy for child rape.

On Friday, ICE Colorado reported that their agents were attempting to arrest Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who had been convicted of child rape in Italy, when a local anti-ICE organization alerted him of the agents’ presence. 

ICE said the group, Colorado Rapid Response, posted on social media that ICE was in the area, allowing him time to flee. 

Jose Reyes Leon-Deras, right, is wanted for child rape in Italy. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images; ICE)

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston had previously promised to deploy police to impede ICE deportations, and a report revealed that the city has spent over $356 million in taxpayer funds on migrant services. A 2017 ordinance in Denver restricts officials from collaborating with ICE.

Anti-ICE protests and activity have grown since President Donald Trump returned to office and vowed to carry out the largest deportation mission in U.S. history.

In Portland, Colorado, on Wednesday, anti-ICE activists tried to block the entrance of an ICE deportation facility in Portland and then launched fireworks and shined lasers at law enforcement, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital.  

Two weeks ago, a mob of anti-ICE protesters set fire to cars in Los Angeles, damaged property and threw rocks at law enforcement, forcing Trump to activate the National Guard. 

Federal agents used non-lethal munitions to shut down a large group of protesters who tried to block law enforcement vehicles from entering and exiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday night. (X/@choeshow/@frontlinesTPUSA)

The “No Kings” protests across the country last week were in part fueled by opposition to mass deportations. 

On Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that 75% of the illegal aliens arrested under the Trump administration have been charged with or convicted of a crime.