Key Takeaways
• On May 29, 2025, ICE detained an immigrant family inside Denver courthouse after their hearing.
• Colorado passed Senate Bill 276, restricting ICE collaboration and entry into local government spaces.
• Legal challenges block deportations under Alien Enemies Act; Supreme Court may intervene.
Federal Authorities Detain Immigrant Family at Denver Courthouse: What It Means for Colorado Immigrants
On May 29, 2025, federal authorities made headlines when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained a family—including a small child—inside the Denver immigration courthouse. This event, the first of its kind in Colorado, signals a major change in how federal authorities are carrying out immigration enforcement in the state. The family had just finished their scheduled immigration hearing when ICE agents took them into custody, leaving advocates and community members shocked and worried.
This incident is not just a single event. It is part of a larger pattern of increased ICE activity across Colorado and the United States 🇺🇸. The Trump administration has set new priorities and quotas for immigration enforcement, leading to more visible and aggressive actions by federal authorities. For immigrants, their families, and the lawyers who support them, these changes bring new fears and challenges.
Below, we break down what happened, why it matters, and what it means for people facing immigration court hearings in Colorado and beyond.
A New Tactic: Detaining Families at Courthouses
The detention at the Denver courthouse marks a significant shift in ICE’s approach. In the past, ICE agents often waited outside courthouses or targeted people in other public spaces. Now, they are entering courthouses and detaining people as they leave their hearings. According to Emily Brock, Deputy Managing Attorney with the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network’s Children’s Program, the child in this case was “clutching to his father’s neck” as the family was taken away. Advocates quickly tried to organize legal help to prevent more detentions at the courthouse.
The Colorado Rapid Response Network (CoRRN), which tracks ICE activity, confirmed this was the first time they had documented a family being detained inside a Denver courthouse. While there had been reports of ICE agents at courthouses in other parts of Colorado, this event in Denver represents a new level of enforcement.
Why Are Federal Authorities Changing Their Approach?
This change in tactics is directly linked to new enforcement priorities set by the Trump administration. The administration has established a daily detention quota—ICE is now expected to arrest over 3,000 migrants every day across the country. To meet this goal, ICE has started using courthouses as places to detain people, hoping to speed up the removal process.
This is a big shift from earlier statements by the administration, which claimed to focus on “the worst of the worst and violent criminals.” Now, families and individuals with no criminal records are being targeted simply for attending their scheduled court hearings.
Growing ICE Activity Across Colorado
The Denver courthouse detention is not an isolated event. Since May 19, 2025, there has been a noticeable increase in ICE operations across Colorado, especially in rural and mountain communities. Advocates have reported more ICE sightings and detentions in counties like Summit, Lake, Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin.
Alex Sánchez, President and CEO of Voces Unidas de las Montañas, explained that while ICE has been present in these areas since President Trump took office, their activity has become much more frequent and visible in recent weeks. Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek confirmed that ICE agents were operating in the area after several people were detained in Edwards. State Representative Elizabeth Velasco, who represents Glenwood Springs, said she has heard from many community members who are worried about the increased ICE presence.
Legal Challenges to Federal Enforcement Actions
The aggressive new tactics by federal authorities have not gone unchallenged. Several important legal cases are now underway in Colorado:
- On May 6, 2025, Federal Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a preliminary injunction (a court order that temporarily stops an action) blocking the federal government from deporting about 100 Venezuelans detained in Colorado under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA). This came after the ACLU of Colorado filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Venezuelan men and more than 100 others.
- On May 30, 2025, another federal court in Colorado issued a similar injunction, stopping removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people in that court’s district. The court ruled that the president’s order went beyond what the law allows, since there was no “invasion,” “predatory incursion,” or “foreign nation or government” as required by the Act.
These legal battles are ongoing, and the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has indicated that the Supreme Court may eventually decide on the use of the Alien Enemies Act in these cases.
Colorado’s Legislative Response: New Protections for Immigrants
In response to the growing ICE activity, Colorado lawmakers have passed new laws to protect immigrants from federal enforcement actions:
- Senate Bill 276, signed into law on May 23, 2025, strengthens existing protections by:
- Barring local governments from working with ICE to detain people
- Restricting local agencies from sharing personal immigration information with federal agents (except in cases involving warrants or federal investigations)
- Prohibiting federal immigration agents from entering nonpublic areas of government buildings, including schools and libraries, without a warrant
Despite these new laws, Representative Velasco admitted, “We know that this is not a magic wand, and people still feel like they’re not safe.” The fear in immigrant communities remains high, especially with the recent courthouse detention.
What Should Immigrants With Court Hearings Do?
Immigration advocates are urging people to continue attending their scheduled court hearings, even with the risk of detention. Here’s why:
- Missing a hearing leads to an automatic removal order. If someone does not show up for their court date, the judge will order them removed from the United States 🇺🇸, making it even easier for ICE to detain and deport them.
- People at court do not have to give their names to ICE agents. If approached by ICE at a courthouse, individuals are not required to identify themselves.
- Families can ask for more time. If a judge tries to dismiss a case, families can request more time or oppose the dismissal, which may help them stay in the country longer and avoid immediate detention.
Expert Opinions: Concerns About Due Process and Community Fear
Legal experts and advocates have raised serious concerns about the impact of these new enforcement tactics:
- Emily Brock called the courthouse detentions “an attack on due process” and warned that they will “ferment fear in the community.”
- Laura Lunn, director of advocacy and litigation at the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, said the government’s actions under the Alien Enemies Act have “disappeared people” and described the enforcement as “heartless and lawless.”
- Tim Macdonald, legal director for the ACLU of Colorado, stated that “deporting and disappearing people without notice or due process is cruel, unconscionable, and unlawful.”
- ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt explained that “the court properly recognized that the president cannot simply ignore the constraints Congress placed on the use of this extraordinary wartime authority.”
These statements reflect deep worries about fairness and the rule of law. Many advocates believe that detaining people at courthouses will make immigrants afraid to attend court, report crimes, or seek help from the legal system.
Resource Challenges for Legal Support
The Denver courthouse detention also highlights a growing problem: legal aid organizations are struggling to keep up with the demand for help. Emily Brock explained that when contracts for legal orientation programs were canceled, her organization had to cut staff and move people to other programs. This means fewer lawyers are available to help immigrants at courthouses, making it harder for families to get the support they need.
What Does This Mean for Immigrant Communities?
The detention of a family at the Denver courthouse is likely to have a chilling effect on immigrant communities across Colorado. People may become more afraid to attend court hearings, even though missing a hearing puts them at greater risk. Families may worry about being separated, and children may experience trauma from seeing loved ones detained.
Advocates are working hard to provide accurate information and support. Organizations like the Colorado Rapid Response Network continue to monitor ICE activity and help families understand their rights.
What Can Immigrants and Their Supporters Do?
If you or someone you know has an upcoming immigration court hearing, here are some important steps to follow:
- Always attend your scheduled hearing. Missing court will almost always make things worse.
- Know your rights. You do not have to answer questions from ICE agents at the courthouse. You can ask to speak to a lawyer.
- Ask for more time if needed. If you feel rushed or pressured in court, you can ask the judge for more time to prepare your case.
- Stay informed. Follow updates from trusted organizations like the Colorado Rapid Response Network and local immigrant advocacy groups.
- Seek legal help. If possible, connect with a lawyer or legal aid organization before your court date. You can find information about immigration court procedures and your rights on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review website.
Looking Ahead: Ongoing Legal Battles and Community Response
The situation is still changing. Lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act are moving through the courts, and the Supreme Court may eventually decide on these issues. Meanwhile, the administration’s daily detention quota and expanded ICE operations suggest that enforcement actions at courthouses and other locations will likely continue.
Community groups and legal advocates are working to support immigrants and push for fair treatment. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the detention of families at courthouses is part of a broader trend of increased enforcement that is causing fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities.
Key Takeaways for Immigrants and Allies
- Federal authorities are now detaining families at courthouses, including in Denver.
- ICE activity has increased across Colorado, especially in rural and mountain areas.
- New state laws offer some protections, but fear remains high.
- Legal challenges to federal enforcement actions are ongoing.
- Immigrants should continue to attend court hearings and know their rights.
- Legal aid resources are stretched thin, making it harder for families to get help.
For more information about your rights and how to respond to ICE activity, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official website. This site provides up-to-date information on immigration forms, policies, and procedures.
Conclusion
The detention of an immigrant family by federal authorities at the Denver courthouse marks a new chapter in immigration enforcement in Colorado. With increased ICE activity, new state laws, and ongoing legal battles, the landscape is changing quickly. Immigrants, their families, and their supporters must stay informed, know their rights, and seek legal help whenever possible. The actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal authorities will continue to shape the lives of thousands of people in Colorado and across the United States 🇺🇸 in the months ahead.
Learn Today
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining/removing migrants.
Alien Enemies Act (AEA) → A law allowing deportation of nationals from enemy countries during wartime or invasion.
Preliminary Injunction → A temporary court order preventing an action until a final decision is made.
Senate Bill 276 → Colorado state law limiting local government’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Due Process → Legal requirement guaranteeing fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
This Article in a Nutshell
Federal authorities’ unprecedented detention of a family inside Denver’s immigration courthouse signals heightened ICE enforcement in Colorado. This shift targets families attending court hearings, increasing fear and legal challenges. New state laws offer protections, but resource shortages and ongoing litigation underscore complex impacts on immigrant communities statewide and beyond.
— By VisaVerge.com
