Governor Jared Polis of Colorado is calling on the Trump administration to increase the number of immigration and FBI agents working in the state, citing the need to make Colorado safer. Despite the arrival of thousands of immigrants in Denver in recent years, totaling $80 million in costs to the city, Polis maintains that Colorado is not a sanctuary jurisdiction. While Republican members of Colorado’s congressional delegation have challenged Polis to back up his statements with action, Polis emphasized that Colorado has strong cooperation on all criminal matters.
The Republicans are specifically calling for the repeal of several laws restricting state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Polis pushed back, stating that Colorado is not a sanctuary state and that cooperation with ICE is encouraged at the county level. The state has faced legal challenges over its sanctuary laws, with a recent lawsuit dismissed for lack of standing by the plaintiff.
The national spotlight turned on Colorado when a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, was exposed for terrorizing apartment complexes in Aurora. The city emphasized that its police department focuses on enforcing state and local laws and does not have a federal immigration function. As the debate over immigration enforcement continues at the federal and state levels, the safety and well-being of immigrants in Colorado remain a significant concern.
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