Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado has expressed outrage that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is using a Space Force base in Aurora to deport illegal immigrants.

“I am deeply concerned about reports that Buckley Space Force Base in my district will be used for mass deportation efforts,” Mr. Crow, a Democrat, said Sunday in a statement. “Pulling our military into politicized and contentious domestic immigration enforcement dishonors the service of our troops and distracts them from the important work of defending our nation.”

The U.S. Northern Command last week began providing space to ICE at the Buckley Space Force Base, stating that the space would be used to process illegal immigrants apprehended by the agency in Colorado. The command said that no service members would be involved in ICE operations and that the base would be staffed by members of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Crow said a staff member at the base told him the base would not be used to house illegal immigrants arrested in Colorado.

Typically, staff at the Buckley base are focused on cybersecurity, intelligence and global missile warnings.

Mr. Crow, a former Army Ranger, visited the base Monday, telling reporters that he strongly opposes President Trump’s immigration agenda and will oppose it.

“To use our military to do something that is in my view immoral but also counterproductive is something I don’t think any American signed up for,” he said.

Buckley Space Force Base sits close to Aurora and Denver, where ICE plans to target illegal immigrants. ICE had apparently planned to stage a massive raid in Aurora last week but pulled back after reports publicized the mission.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.