Aurora ICE Facility Given Green Light To Expand
Immigrant Rights Group Pledges To Keep Fighting
Lane Lyon, 7NEWS Reporter

POSTED: 1:03 am MDT April 10, 2008
UPDATED: 1:03 pm MDT April 10, 2008


AURORA, Colo. -- Aurora’s Planning and Zoning Commission gave unanimous approval Wednesday to a plan to expand an immigrant detention facility.

The Florida-based Geo Company petitioned to add more than 200,000 square feet and 1,100 more beds on a 17-acre site near its existing facility at 30th Avenue and Peoria Street in Aurora.

Currently with 400 beds, the private company owns and manages the Aurora ICE Processing Center under a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The 6-0 vote came after opponents carried signs and rallied outside the Aurora Municipal Center.

Members of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition chanted, “people not profits, justice not abuse,â€