Amsalu Kassaw, an immigrant from Ethiopia, joins the Aurora City Council, marking a significant milestone for the community.
Aurora: Amsalu Kassaw moved to the U.S. from Ethiopia 17 years ago. He left his home country fearing arrest by a paramilitary group. Now, he’s a lieutenant for a private contractor at the local ICE detention center.
This Monday, he’ll be sworn in as the first immigrant of color on the Aurora City Council. The council picked him last month in a close vote to fill a vacant seat.
Kassaw, now a U.S. citizen, doesn’t find it strange that he oversees detained immigrants while being a former refugee himself. He believes he can set an example by following the rules.
He’s stepping into a political role in a city that’s become a hot spot in the immigration debate. Just last year, President Trump held a rally there, highlighting local tensions over immigration issues.
There’s been some back-and-forth between Aurora’s mayor and Denver’s mayor about the influx of migrants, which has stirred up quite a bit of discussion lately.
Kassaw will also need to navigate the community’s strained relationship with the council, especially after protests over a police shooting last spring.
A Republican, Kassaw plans to use skills he developed back in Ethiopia, where he worked to bring different political parties together. With over 80 ethnic groups in Ethiopia, he’s familiar with bridging divides.
Aurora is incredibly diverse, with a significant number of residents born outside the U.S. The Ethiopian community is one of the largest immigrant groups in the city.
He believes his background can help unite people. Kassaw wants to be a bridge between the community and elected officials, emphasizing his openness to discussions.
Priscilla Rahn, a former Republican Party vice chair, praised Kassaw as a fair-minded person who seeks to connect with others rather than create conflict.
As the new councilman, he’ll need to engage with Aurora’s immigrant community, especially with the incoming administration’s tough stance on immigration.
Kassaw, who leans on his Christian faith, aims to ensure safety for all residents and support local businesses. He believes in holding people accountable for breaking the law.
If he wants to keep his seat, Kassaw will need to run again in the November election.
Nigusse Beyene, who leads a local refugee organization, believes Kassaw must actively engage with the community to address the challenges facing Aurora.
