By Deborah Grigsby | Denver Gazette
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Colorado and the City and County of Denver, alleging their policies are interfering with the job of immigration officers in a case that could have ramifications for enforcement nationwide.
The lawsuit filed Friday in Colorado District Court claims both the state and Denver have enacted “sanctuary laws” in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the latest in a series of actions by the president cracking down on so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
A “sanctuary city” generally refers to a jurisdiction that discourages local law enforcement from reporting an individual’s immigration status to federal authorities. This tension was on full display during a congressional hearing in March, when Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was called to testify about the city’s response to the influx of immigrants.