Judge Blocks Colorado Governor From Forcing State Workers To Share Data With ICE

Key Takeaways

• Denver judge blocked Colorado governor’s order to share immigrant sponsors’ info with ICE on June 25-26, 2025.
• State privacy laws forbid sharing personal data with ICE unless for a criminal investigation, per 2021 and 2025 laws.
• Whistleblower Scott Moss sued governor to protect sponsors of unaccompanied immigrant children from ICE subpoena.

A Colorado judge has stopped Governor Jared Polis from ordering certain state workers to give employment information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision, made by Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones on June 25-26, 2025, is a major moment for how Colorado handles requests from federal immigration authorities. The case highlights the ongoing struggle between state privacy laws and federal immigration enforcement, especially when it comes to protecting immigrants’ personal information.

Who, What, When, Where, and Why

On June 25-26, 2025, Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones issued a preliminary injunction. This means the judge temporarily blocked the Colorado governor from forcing a division of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to give ICE personal information about about 35 people. These people are sponsors of unaccompanied immigrant children. The judge’s order came after a whistleblower lawsuit was filed by Scott Moss, the director of Colorado’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics. Moss challenged the governor’s order to comply with an ICE subpoena, saying it would break state privacy laws.

ICE had sent a subpoena to the state labor department in April 2025. The subpoena asked for employer information, unemployment filings, and Family and Medical Leave Insurance program records for these sponsors. ICE said it needed the information to make sure the children were safe and not being exploited. However, ICE did not say there was any specific criminal investigation related to these sponsors.

Why This Matters

This ruling is important because it shows how Colorado is trying to protect the privacy of immigrants and their sponsors. It also shows the tension between state and federal governments over immigration enforcement. The judge’s decision means that, for now, state workers do not have to give ICE the information unless there is a criminal investigation.

The Legal Battle: How the Case Unfolded

Step-by-Step Timeline

1. April 2025: ICE sends a subpoena to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The subpoena asks for information about 35 sponsors of unaccompanied immigrant children.
2. May 2025: Colorado governor Jared Polis decides the state will comply with the subpoena.
3. Early June 2025: Scott Moss, director of the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, files a lawsuit against the governor. Moss argues that giving the information to ICE would break state privacy laws.
4. June 23-25, 2025: The Denver District Court holds hearings. State lawmakers and department officials testify, including two Democratic state senators.
5. June 25-26, 2025: Judge A. Bruce Jones issues a preliminary injunction. This blocks the governor from ordering state workers to give the information to ICE.

What the Judge’s Ruling Means

Judge Jones’s order is a preliminary injunction. This is a court order that temporarily stops something from happening while the court decides the full case. In this situation, the judge blocked the Colorado governor from forcing state workers to give ICE the requested employment information.

The judge based his decision on Colorado laws passed in 2021 and 2025. These laws say that state officials cannot share personal information with ICE unless it is for a criminal investigation. Judge Jones made it clear that his ruling does not stop the governor from finding other ways to respond to the subpoena. However, the governor cannot directly order state workers to give ICE the information.

Key People and Their Positions

• Governor Jared Polis: The Colorado governor decided in late May 2025 to comply with the ICE subpoena. This decision was controversial, especially among members of his own party.
• Scott Moss: As director of the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, Moss filed the lawsuit to block the governor’s order. He argued that state privacy laws protect the information from being shared with ICE.
• Democratic State Senators Mike Weissman and Julie Gonzales: Both senators testified in court against the governor’s decision. They said sharing the information could hurt immigrant communities and break state privacy laws.
• Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones: The judge issued the injunction, protecting state workers from being forced to give information to ICE unless there is a criminal investigation.

What Information Did ICE Want?

ICE asked for:

• Employer information
• Unemployment filings
• Family and Medical Leave Insurance program records

This information was about 35 people who sponsor unaccompanied immigrant children. ICE said it needed the data to make sure the children were safe and not being exploited. However, ICE did not say there was any criminal case connected to these sponsors.

Colorado’s Laws on Sharing Information with ICE

Colorado passed laws in 2021 and 2025 that limit how state officials can share personal information with ICE. The main rule is that state workers cannot give ICE personal data unless it is for a criminal investigation. These laws were made to protect immigrants and their sponsors from being targeted by federal immigration enforcement.

Key points of these laws:

• State employees cannot share personal information with ICE unless there is a criminal investigation.
• The laws apply to all state agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment.
• Sponsors of unaccompanied immigrant children are protected by these laws.

Why Did the Governor Want to Comply?

Governor Polis said he wanted to comply with the ICE subpoena to help ensure the safety of the children. He may have also wanted to keep good relations with federal agencies. However, his decision upset many in his own party, who felt that it went against Colorado’s laws and values.

Why Did Some Lawmakers and Officials Object?

Democratic state senators and Scott Moss argued that sharing the information could:

• Lead to deportations or other immigration enforcement actions against sponsors
• Break the trust between immigrant communities and state agencies
• Violate Colorado’s privacy laws

They said that if sponsors think their information could be shared with ICE, they might be less willing to help unaccompanied children. This could make it harder for children to find safe homes.

What Happens Next?

The lawsuit is still ongoing. The judge’s order is only temporary. The court will have to decide the full case later. In the meantime:

• State workers do not have to give ICE the information.
• Governor Polis and state agencies must look for other ways to respond to the subpoena that do not break state law.
• The case could lead to new laws or policies in Colorado, depending on what happens in court.

Broader Impact: What This Means for Immigrants and State Workers

For Immigrants and Sponsors

• Protection: The ruling protects sponsors of unaccompanied immigrant children from having their employment and personal information shared with ICE, unless there is a criminal investigation.
• Trust: Immigrant communities may feel more secure knowing that state laws are being enforced to protect their privacy.
• Uncertainty: The case is not over, so there is still some uncertainty about what will happen in the future.

For State Workers

• Clarity: The ruling gives state workers clear guidance that they do not have to share personal information with ICE unless there is a criminal investigation.
• Legal Protection: State workers are protected from being forced to break state laws.

For the Governor and State Agencies

• Limits on Power: The governor cannot simply order state workers to comply with federal subpoenas if it would break state law.
• Need for Alternatives: State agencies must find other ways to respond to federal requests that do not violate state privacy laws.

The Bigger Picture: State vs. Federal Power

This case is part of a larger debate about how much power states have to protect immigrants from federal immigration enforcement. Some states, like Colorado, have passed laws to limit cooperation with ICE. These laws are meant to protect immigrants’ privacy and prevent deportations that are not tied to criminal activity.

However, federal agencies like ICE have the power to issue subpoenas and request information from states. When state and federal laws conflict, courts have to decide which rules apply. This case shows how complicated these issues can be.

What Legal Experts Say

Legal experts say the judge’s ruling shows a careful balance. The court is trying to respect Colorado’s privacy laws while also recognizing the federal government’s power to ask for information. The judge did not say the state could never cooperate with ICE. Instead, he said the governor cannot force state workers to break state law.

Some experts think this case could set an example for other states. If the court’s final decision supports Colorado’s privacy laws, other states might pass similar laws to protect immigrants.

What Could Happen in the Future?

• Further Court Decisions: The court will make a final decision on whether the governor’s order was legal.
• Possible Appeals: If either side disagrees with the final decision, they could appeal to a higher court.
• New Laws: Depending on the outcome, Colorado lawmakers might pass new laws to make the rules even clearer.
• Other States: States watching this case may decide to pass their own privacy laws to protect immigrants.

Official Resources for More Information

If you want to learn more about Colorado’s labor and employment policies, you can visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. For information about ICE and federal immigration enforcement, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. To check the status of court cases or find court documents, you can contact the Denver District Court.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Sponsors

• Know Your Rights: If you are a sponsor of an unaccompanied immigrant child in Colorado, state law protects your personal information from being shared with ICE unless there is a criminal investigation.
• Stay Informed: Follow updates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and local news sources for the latest information on this case.
• Seek Legal Help: If you are worried about your information being shared, consider speaking with an immigration lawyer or a trusted community organization.

Conclusion: What This Means for Colorado and Beyond

The Denver District Court’s decision to block the Colorado governor from ordering state workers to give employment information to ICE is a big moment for immigrant privacy in Colorado. It shows the state’s commitment to protecting immigrants and their sponsors from federal immigration enforcement actions that are not tied to criminal activity. The case also highlights the ongoing struggle between state and federal governments over immigration policy.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, this legal battle could influence how other states handle similar situations in the future. The outcome will shape the balance between protecting immigrant communities and cooperating with federal authorities. For now, Colorado’s laws remain a strong shield for those who sponsor unaccompanied immigrant children, and the court’s decision gives state workers clear guidance on how to follow the law.

For more information about state labor policies and privacy protections, visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Stay tuned for further updates as the case continues to develop in the Denver District Court.

Learn Today

Preliminary Injunction → Temporary court order stopping an action until a final decision is made in a legal case.
Subpoena → A legal request ordering a person or organization to provide documents or information.
Unaccompanied Immigrant Children → Minors who enter the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian responsible for them.
State Privacy Laws → Legislation protecting personal information from being shared without proper legal cause, especially with federal agencies.
Division of Labor Standards and Statistics → Colorado state division overseeing labor laws and collecting employment data.

This Article in a Nutshell

Colorado’s court stopped Governor Polis from forcing state workers to share employment data with ICE, protecting immigrant privacy under state law amid federal enforcement tensions.
— By VisaVerge.com