Judge Blocks Trump DOJ Immigration Lawsuit Over Colorado Sanctuary Laws
A federal judge has thrown out the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Colorado and Denver, delivering a fresh legal blow to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement push.
The case centered on whether the federal government can force local governments to assist with deportation efforts, a question now reshaping national policy battles.
According to the Associated Press, the DOJ argued that Colorado and Denver’s “sanctuary” laws violated the Constitution by limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The laws restrict how local agencies share data and use resources tied to enforcement.
U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher rejected that claim, citing a 1997 Supreme Court ruling that bars the federal government from compelling states to enforce federal programs.
That creates a deeper conflict.
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The decision reinforces state autonomy, but the DOJ has filed similar lawsuits across the country, signaling the legal fight is far from settled.
“Today’s ruling makes clear that we cannot be required to use local resources to enforce federal policies,” Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement.
The outcome matters beyond Colorado.
Courts have increasingly sided with states in similar cases, including a dismissed challenge in Chicago, raising questions about the limits of federal power in immigration enforcement.
What happens next will likely play out in additional lawsuits or potential appeals, as federal officials continue targeting local policies nationwide.
For now, the ruling stands as another test of how far Washington can go in shaping local law enforcement.
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