The Colorado House of Representatives passed a bill to expand the state’s protection for immigrants and limit law enforcement’s immigration activities.
Senate Bill 25-276 passed the state’s Senate in April. The upper chamber will need to approve changes made to the bill in the House before it heads to Democratic Governor Jared Polis’ desk.
“There is clarity in place of what happens when an (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) action takes place. Notice that I’m saying ‘when,’ because everyone here knows that there is zero sense of false hope, especially in our immigrant population,” State Rep. Lorena Garcia said ahead of the vote, as per Colorado Newsline. “They know more than anyone here in this room that they are not living risk free.”
“This bill is a declaration to our commitment to civil and constitutional rights in this state, for everyone who calls this state home,” she said.
According to the bill, local government officials would be prohibited from sharing identifying information about immigration status with ICE. The bill further repeals certain affidavit requirements and “prohibits the jail custodian from delaying a defendant’s release for the purpose of an immigration enforcement operation,” a bill summary says.
A spokesperson for Polis told Colorado Public Radio that the governor had “concerns” about the original version of the bill. “Colorado is not a sanctuary state, and Gov. Polis continues urging Congress to secure the border and do their job and pass comprehensive immigration reform,” the spokesperson noted.
Denver, Colorado is currently facing a lawsuit from the Trump administration’s Department of Justice for its sanctuary policies.
