Polis sued over ICE data handoff involving migrant child sponsors

Scott Moss, a senior labor official in Colorado, has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Governor Jared Polis, alleging that he directed state employees to comply with a Department of Homeland Security subpoena for personal information on residents sponsoring unaccompanied migrant children. This directive allegedly violates a 2025 state law that prohibits such cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Polis’ office initially resisted the subpoena but reportedly reversed its stance, leading to accusations of undermining recent immigrant protections that the governor had previously championed. A spokesperson for Polis argued that assisting federal investigations is a moral imperative, while Moss' attorney countered that ICE has shown no evidence of crimes against children. The lawsuit arises amid a notable increase in ICE arrests at Denver's immigration court, where advocates report agents have been apprehending individuals, including children, in the courthouse.

Moss is seeking an emergency injunction to block the data release, emphasizing the need for stronger immigrant safeguards. This conflict highlights the tension between state actions and federal immigration policies. Advocates worry that the governor's alleged compliance with federal requests could jeopardize vulnerable immigrant communities.