Conservative firebrand torches blue state immigration policies amid major lawsuit
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., has taken aim at Colorado leaders as the state and the city of Denver face a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over their immigration policies. Boebert criticized Mayor Mike Johnston and Gov. Jared Polis for their refusal to cooperate with ICE agents and their support for policies that benefit those in the state illegally.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Boebert expressed her frustration with the Democratic-run state legislature, which has pushed for expedited driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. She highlighted the need for federal intervention, pointing out that the United States has the authority to regulate immigration matters.
The lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice accuses Colorado and Denver of implementing “sanctuary laws” that violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. The state has become a hotspot for criminal activity, including the presence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
ICE relies on cooperation from state and local officials for enforcing federal immigration laws, but sanctuary policies hinder their efforts. The Department of Justice has filed similar lawsuits in other cities, challenging their refusal to comply with federal immigration enforcement.
Boebert emphasized the importance of Congress using its power of the purse to withhold funding from sanctuary cities and incentivize compliance with federal laws. She praised President Trump’s executive order threatening to cut federal funding to jurisdictions that do not cooperate with immigration enforcement.
As the federal government continues its immigration crackdown, Boebert urged Colorado leaders to obey federal law and work with federal law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety. She emphasized the need for Colorado to maintain partnerships with federal authorities and avoid being labeled a sanctuary state.
In response to Boebert’s criticism, a spokesperson for Gov. Polis stated that Colorado collaborates with law enforcement at all levels and values its partnerships with federal agencies. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office did not provide a comment on the matter.
Colorado’s immigration policies have come under scrutiny, and Boebert is calling for greater cooperation with federal authorities to protect the state and its residents. As the debate over sanctuary laws continues, the role of Congress in shaping immigration policy remains a key point of contention.
