Justice Department Sues Denver Over Ordinance Restricting Immigration Agents
DENVER — Denver is a city in Denver County, Colorado (a consolidated city-county). The U.S. Department of Justice sued the City of Denver on October 8, challenging a local ordinance that bars federal immigration agents from wearing masks and requires them to show identification. According to Axios and the Justice Department's Office of Public Affairs, the federal complaint argues that Denver's rules violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and that the city cannot impose conditions on how federal officers operate.
Named as defendants are Mayor Michael Johnston, the city attorney and Police Chief Ronald Thomas, among other city officials. Denver's ordinance requires immigration officers working in the city to keep their faces uncovered and display visible identification; supporters say the rules let residents identify officers and ensure accountability.
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of disputes between the federal government and Democratic-led local governments over immigration enforcement. Denver officials said the city will defend the ordinance, which they describe as a community-trust measure. The case will proceed in federal court and could shape similar legislation in other cities.
The suit sits within a broader run of legal clashes between the federal government and local jurisdictions over immigration enforcement: Washington argues immigration is an exclusively federal domain and that local restrictions obstruct it, while cities contend that their rules protect community trust and that residents who fear local police will underreport crime, ultimately harming public safety. Denver said after the filing that it will vigorously defend its ordinance, stressing that it does not bar federal enforcement but asks officers working in Denver to follow the same identification rules as local police. Legal observers expect a long case, likely appealed to a federal circuit court, with the outcome guiding other cities weighing similar laws. Denver's ordinance remains in effect unless a court rules otherwise.
Photo: Denver City and County Building, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0, Larry D. Moore
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 丹佛市郡大楼，Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0，Larry D. Moore
