ICE operations in Colorado raise legal questions

ICE's operations in Colorado have sparked legal questions regarding the agency's authority to detain individuals without judicial warrants. The agency has conducted approximately nine arrests each day this year, a nearly 300% increase from the same period in 2024. Local officials, including Adams County Sheriff Gene Claps, have raised alarms about ICE's new policy prohibiting detained immigrants from attending court hearings in person, arguing it undermines due process rights. ICE claims the policy is necessary due to concerns about local sheriffs returning detainees safely. Critics argue that ICE's practices resemble those of a secret police force, with agents operating without body cameras and using unmarked vehicles.

The agency's footprint in Colorado could expand further as private prison company CoreCivic explores new detention facilities. Recent legislation has earmarked approximately $45 billion for ICE detention space, indicating a significant federal investment in immigration enforcement. Currently, Colorado hosts only one ICE detention facility, the Aurora ICE Processing Center.