Federal Government Threatens Colorado Over Sanctuary Laws

By Óscar Contreras | Denver7

Attorney General Pam Bondi says in letter Colorado “engages in sanctuary policies that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States”.

DENVER — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday threatened Gov. Jared Polis with legal action and the pulling of federal funds if he fails to eliminate state laws the Trump administration believes impede with the president’s plans for mass deportations.

The demand letter, which was also addressed to Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, identified Colorado as a jurisdiction that “engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States.”

It requests that Gov. Polis submit a response by Aug. 19 to confirm his commitment to complying with federal law and asks that he identify “the immediate initiatives you are taking to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impede federal immigration enforcement.”

The letter from Bondi wasn’t just sent to Colorado. At least 12 other states across the county are thought to have received the letter after Bondi singled out California and New York in a social media post Thursday morning.

Bondi’s demand letter states President Trump has directed other federal agencies “to identity and evaluate their statutory authority to issue grants, contracts, and federal funds, to determine where immigration-related terms and conditions may be added” to combat what the administration says is a violation of federal law.

Further, the letter threatens criminal charges against any individual “using their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts.”

The demand letter is the second attempt by the Trump administration over the past three months to overturn several state laws which prohibit state and local officials from assisting federal immigration enforcement.

What Colorado laws does the Trump administration take issue with?

Since taking full control of the state government in 2019, Colorado Democrats have passed several laws aimed at making life easier for undocumented immigrants.

In 2019, Polis signed HB19-1124 — one of the most oft cited laws by Colorado Republicans unhappy with the state’s immigration policies. Officially known as the “Protect Colorado Residents From Federal Government Overreach Act,” the law prevents law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining someone on the basis of their immigration status or holding someone past their release from jail just so they can be immediately detained by immigration agents.

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