Rep. Lauren Boebert demands Colorado officials follow federal immigration laws as the Department of Justice sues the state and Denver over sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants from ICE enforcement.
At a Glance
- DOJ has filed a lawsuit against Colorado and Denver, claiming their “sanctuary laws” violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston defended housing 42,000 migrants over 18 months before Congress, where he faced threats of prosecution
- Rep. Boebert suggests Congress could withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities refusing to cooperate with ICE
- Colorado officials maintain they are not a “sanctuary state” despite policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities
- The lawsuit alleges these policies force ICE into more dangerous enforcement operations outside jails
Federal Government Challenges Colorado’s Immigration Stance
The Department of Justice has initiated legal action against Colorado and Denver over policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit targets state and local laws that prohibit information sharing and coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), naming Governor Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and Sheriff Elias Diggins as defendants. According to the DOJ, these “sanctuary policies” hinder federal immigration enforcement efforts and force ICE to conduct more dangerous apprehension operations outside of jail facilities.
The federal government argues that Colorado’s policies violate the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws. While similar lawsuits have been filed against other sanctuary jurisdictions including Rochester, New York, and Chicago, Colorado officials maintain they are not operating as a sanctuary state and value their partnerships with federal law enforcement.
The legal challenge comes amid growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local governments over enforcement priorities.
Rep. Boebert’s Criticism of State Leadership
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has vocally criticized Colorado leaders for refusing to modify policies that prevent city employees from coordinating with ICE agents. In a recent statement, Boebert specifically called out Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Governor Jared Polis for their unwillingness to change course despite the federal lawsuit. She noted that Democrats in the state legislature have proposed further measures to expedite driver’s licenses for immigrants without legal status, a move she characterizes as harmful to enforcement efforts.
Boebert has highlighted concerns about Colorado becoming a hotspot for criminal activity, specifically mentioning the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. She argues that Denver’s policies create a permissive environment for illegal immigration and undermine national security. Her critiques come as Colorado continues to experience significant migrant arrivals, with Denver reporting having received up to 11 buses daily during peak migration periods over the past year and a half.
Congressional Hearing and Federal Funding Threats
During a recent congressional hearing, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston defended his city’s approach to the migrant situation, describing efforts to house and feed approximately 42,000 migrants over an 18-month period. Johnston emphasized both moral obligations and public safety considerations. The Mayor stated that the city has established shelters and helped more than 8,700 migrants obtain work authorization, allowing them to become self-sufficient. Republican committee members responded with serious threats.
Rep. Boebert has proposed that Congress leverage its “power of the purse” to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that fail to comply with federal immigration laws. This approach would follow precedent set by President Trump, who issued Executive Orders threatening to cut federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions. Boebert’s message to Colorado officials was clear: comply with federal law to continue receiving federal dollars, emphasizing that cooperation would benefit both Colorado’s reputation and public safety.
Mayor’s Defense and State Response
Mayor Johnston has insisted that Denver does cooperate with ICE within legal boundaries, stating that while the city doesn’t inquire about immigration status during routine interactions, it does notify ICE when individuals subject to detainer requests are scheduled for release. The Mayor’s office responded forcefully to the federal lawsuit, saying Denver “will not be bullied or blackmailed” and is prepared to defend its values and policies in court.
Colorado’s Governor’s office has rejected the characterization that Colorado operates as a sanctuary state, emphasizing that the state values its partnerships with law enforcement at all levels. Attorney General Phil Weiser has expressed commitment to defending Colorado law, noting his office has successfully done so in similar cases previously. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for immigration enforcement policies nationwide and the balance of power between federal and state governments.
