The Trump administration is ripping a new sanctuary city policy enacted by Denver as “legally illiterate.”
Democrat Mayor Mike Johnston and local law enforcement leadership last week claimed that the new policies will protect residents’ constitutional rights from federal government overreach.
An executive order signed by Johnston last week bars all city-owned property from being used “in furtherance of civil immigration enforcement operations.” The order also creates a “duty to intervene” for local law enforcement, saying “they must protect and aid people in life-threatening situations, regardless of the law enforcement agency perpetrating the harm.”
Johnston said his goal is “not to provoke but to protect” in a statement.
“In a time of great fear, we are reminding Denverites that there are still those you can trust and lines you can’t cross,” he said. “Our law enforcement and legal teams will stand up for civil liberties, and, if necessary, step in to protect the life and safety of our residents. This is our city, and we will defend the rights of every person in it.”
The Trump administration hit back in a statement, pointing to the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
“No local official has the authority to bar ICE from carrying out federal law on public property—just as they cannot bar the media from reporting on city streets,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement to Denver 7. “Enforcing federal immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause.”
“While Mayor Johnston continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto their streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make Denver safe again.”
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston cries about Jeanette Vizguerra getting arrested by ICE in Aurora, CO—claims she’s just a mom with no criminal record.
Nothing can be farther from the truth.
Jeanette is in our country illegally, had multiple ICE detainer requests lodged, was convicted… pic.twitter.com/mTqBFRkml5
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 18, 2025
The order also bans city agencies from data sharing “with DHS or its immigration enforcement partners without a subpoena, judicial warrant, court order, or except as required by law.”
Denver City Council is also considering an ordinance that would attempt to ban ICE agents from wearing face covering while in city limits.
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Denver ranks as the 10th largest sanctuary city in the U.S.
A Colorado law passed in 2019 also bans state and local law enforcement from helping ICE fulfill detainer requests unless there’s a federal warrant.
