Colorado weighs cooperation with ICE authorities
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Democratic Gov. Jared Polis and state Republican lawmakers are asking local authorities to more closely cooperate with federal immigration authorities to deport certain people living in the country illegally.
Why it matters: The push from the unlikely tandem comes amid a debate about whether Colorado's protections for immigrants make it a sanctuary ripe for the Trump administration to target.
The latest: GOP lawmakers introduced a bill to recreate Colorado's tough immigration stance dating back to 2006 and to require local governments to cooperate with immigration agents or face the loss of state grants.
- The measure would also mandate police officers report individuals suspected of living in the country illegally.
What they're saying: "I want to give law enforcement the authority to do what is natural for law enforcement, which is to have every tool available to them," Sen. Mark Baisley (R-Woodland Park) said in an interview.
Between the lines: Polis is not embracing the bill, but he wants the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency to increase its presence in Colorado to deport more immigrants convicted of crimes.
- "We certainly are supportive of local law enforcement having constructive relationships with our federal law enforcement workers," Polis told Axios in a recent interview.
Yes, but: Polis draws a line when enforcing civil infractions.
- We "remain committed to enforcing … criminal laws, rather than just being an extension of the government and focused on federal immigration laws," he recently told reporters.
The big picture: A handful of Colorado's policies protect immigrants and offer state benefits to those living in the state illegally.
- Colorado law forbids state entities and law enforcement from providing immigration information to federal authorities in most cases, prohibits local jails from holding people at ICE's request and blocks arrests solely on resident status.
- In addition, the state offers driver's licenses, health care and financial aid to some immigrants lacking permanent legal status.
The bottom line: Polis is adamant the policies don't amount to a "sanctuary state," a term without a clear definition. But Republicans disagree.