The Department of Justice sued Colorado and the city of Denver, allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
The lawsuit filed Friday in Colorado District Court condemns the states and their most populous cities that have enforced “sanctuary laws” in violation of constitutional superiority clauses.
“The United States has well-established, outstanding, and preemptive authority to regulate immigration issues,” the lawsuit reads.
Sanctuary cities refer to areas where cooperation with federal employees is limited to seeking protection for immigrants without legal status and enforcement of immigration laws.
More than 100 illegal immigrants arrested in Colorado Springs attack huge underground nightclubs
Officers will gather outside one of the apartment buildings called Raleigh's Edge after a press conference to outline the five residential structures in Aurora, Colorado, which were closed by the city on February 19, 2025. (AP)
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency enforces federal immigration laws nationwide, but seeks support from state and local officials, particularly for large-scale deportation. The agency also wants to adjoin and hold immigrants by asking police and security offices to adjoin immigrants until federal agents can take custody.
The Justice Department has filed similar lawsuits in Rochester, New York and Chicago that challenge “sanctuary policies.”
Department lawyers allege that Colorado's “sanctuary policy” allowed Venezuelan gangster Tren de Aragua (TDA) to seize control of an apartment in the suburbs of Denver in Aurora.
Local officials argue that the gangs are exaggerating the wide area of the city, but admitted that the apartment, including those with ties to the TDA, was terrified.
The Justice Department has filed similar lawsuits in Rochester, New York and Chicago that challenge “sanctuary policies.” (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The Colorado lawsuit cites the defendants as Gov. Jared Police, state legislature, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.
Police's office said Colorado is not a sanctuary state and regularly works with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
“If the court says Colorado law is not valid, we will follow the ruling,” spokesman Connor Cahill told the Associated Press. “We are not going to comment on the merits of the lawsuit.”
Republican lawmakers are trying to strip the policy of sanctuary cities in the Columbia area
The DOJ case lists the defendants as Colorado Governor Jared Police, state legislature, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. (Aldrago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Congressional Republicans have sought to put pressure on Democratic-led city officials to cooperate with the Trump administration's immigration policy, including a massive deportation pledge.
GOP lawmakers summoned mayors of Denver, Boston, New York City and Chicago, giving testimony before a House Committee on Surveillance and Government Reform last month. However, the mayor pushed the city back and defended it as a comfortable place, not a lawless zone of danger. The mayor also called on the council to pass immigration reform.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
