Denver, Colorado – In a bold move to challenge the state’s sanctuary immigration policies, Douglas County has filed a lawsuit against Governor Jared Polis and the Centennial State.
The Contested Laws
The lawsuit targets two Colorado House bills: 19-1124 and 23-1100. These bills prohibit Colorado law enforcement from arresting or detaining undocumented immigrants based on their immigration status and prevent state judges from sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“A Violation of the Constitution”
County Commissioner Chairman George Teal denounced the laws as “a violation of several tenets of the Colorado State Constitution.” He emphasized that federal policies on the southern border have resulted in an influx of unauthorized immigrants into their communities.
Duty to Protect
“It is our intent to bring suit specifically to address the illegal immigration crisis now present in this country,” Teal stated. “Federal policies along the southern border have resulted in an unlimited stream of illegal immigrants into our communities.”
The county commissioners see their actions as a fulfillment of their civic duty. “We see it as the duty of the county to push back against the state laws that prohibit us from working with federal authorities to keep Douglas County and our communities safe,” Teal said.
Balancing Priorities
While acknowledging the need to provide refuge and asylum, County Commissioner Abe Laydon emphasized the county’s responsibility to prioritize legal residents. “Douglas County is a place where quality of life comes first, and we want to prioritize the rights of those who are legally here first,” he explained.
Laydon expressed concern about the financial implications of the influx of immigrants, citing reports that 40,000 Venezuelan migrants were transported to Denver at a cost of 0 million. “We are not going to be cutting services to our residents,” he declared.
Precedence for Lawsuits
Douglas County’s lawsuit is not without precedent. In 2018, Huntington Beach, California, filed a similar suit against the state over its immigration law. An Orange County court ruled in favor of the city.
State’s Response
Governor Polis’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit when contacted by LA News Center. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it has the potential to influence other jurisdictions grappling with sanctuary immigration policies.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
