Colorado's Democratic governor backs core of Trump deportation plan
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Photo Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday stepped across the MAGA divide and endorsed President-elect Trump's plan to deport immigrants living in the country illegally who commit violent crimes.
What he's saying: "We have zero tolerance for those who commit violent crimes whether they are American citizens or not," the Democratic governor said in his annual State of the State address at the Capitol.
- "We welcome more federal help to detain and deport dangerous criminals," he added.
Yes, but: The term-limited governor — who has an eye on national office — drew a hard line on the issue, telling the 75th General Assembly that "Colorado will not support efforts to deport American citizens, to target those on pending legal status, to break up families."
Why it matters: Polis continues to walk a narrow path as a leader in the blue-state resistance and yet an ally for Trump on certain matters — a position that is true to his often-contradictory political identity but one that is diminishing his star among some in the Democratic Party.
Context: Polis angered his own party in recent weeks for cheering the incoming Trump administration's government efficiency task force and celebrating the pick of vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary.
The other side: Immigration advocates immediately sounded the alarm about his remarks on the issue. State Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) said Polis overlooked that immigrants are far more likely to be victims of crime and expressed surprise that the governor's tone emulated Trump.
- "I thought we had all moved past that rhetoric," she said, adding: "The rhetoric is him trying to score some points with President Trump, for what it's worth."
Between the lines: Illegal immigration — a word Polis never used in his 56-minute speech — is an issue that has challenged his politics.
In his six years as governor, he has signed into law multiple measures making it easier for those living in the country illegally to receive driver's licenses, state aid and health care.
But a year ago, as an influx of immigrants from the U.S. southern border came to Colorado, he remained largely silent on the topic.
- He even avoided the issue in his 2024 State of the State address because "the state can't make immigration law."
The intrigue: Despite the inconsistency, Polis — a former congressman — leaned into the issue this year.
- He declared support for "securing the border" to stop human, drug and gun trafficking and a pathway to citizenship for children brought to the country illegally by family.
- He did not elaborate on how either policy would work in practice.
Zoom in: Polis highlighted the current anxiety faced by migrants by telling the story of an unidentified woman who received DACA status. He pointed to an empty seat in the House chamber's gallery.
- "We are not joined by [her] today … because of the grim reality that [she] and many other immigrants who enrich our communities and economy every day are living in fear."