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A Colorado county is suing its own state over sanctuary immigration policies, according to a new filing.
Douglas County filed a lawsuit Monday morning against Gov. Jared Polis and the Centennial State, referencing Colorado House Bills 19-1124 and 23-1100. Currently, the state seeks the right to comply with the federal government on immigration matters, which the bills prohibit.
Specifically, the bills prohibit Colorado police from arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants based on their immigration status. It also prevents state judges from sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Local governments in Colorado are also prohibited from entering into agreements with the federal government on immigration enforcement matters under the bills.
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At a press conference on Monday, Douglas County Board of Commissioners Chairman George Teal said the laws are “a violation of several principles of the Colorado State Constitution.”
“Our intention is to file a lawsuit specifically to address the illegal immigration crisis now present in this country,” Teal added. “Federal policies along the southern border have resulted in an unlimited flow of illegal immigrants into our communities.”
The president added that the board considers filing the lawsuit to be part of its civic duties.
“We believe it is the county’s duty to fight state laws that prohibit us from working with federal authorities to keep Douglas County and our communities safe,” he continued. “That is the purpose of this lawsuit and we believe we will be victorious.”
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County Commissioner Abe Laydon added that he “recognizes the plight of those seeking refuge and asylum here,” while supporting the filing of the lawsuit.
“Douglas County is a place where quality of life comes first and we want to prioritize the rights of those who are here legally first,” he explained.
“Many months ago we heard that 40,000 Venezuelan immigrants were being bussed to Denver from Texas at a cost of about $120 million, to the city and county of Denver and Douglas County… “We are not going to cut services to our residents.”
Other similar lawsuits have been filed in the last five years. In 2018, the Huntington Beach City Council voted 6-1 to sue the state of California over an immigration-related law signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown. An Orange County court ruled in favor of the city.
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Fox News reached out to Governor Polis for a statement, but his office declined to comment.
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