ACLU Sues ICE to End Indiscriminate Arrests in Colorado NOW
URGENT UPDATE: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and two Colorado law firms have just filed a federal lawsuit aimed at halting what they describe as the “indiscriminate stops and arrests” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the state. This significant legal action comes as federal immigration officials face growing scrutiny for practices that allegedly target individuals based on skin color, accent, or perceived nationality.
The lawsuit, filed in Colorado’s federal court on October 19, 2023, claims ICE is conducting arrests without establishing probable cause or assessing flight risk, effectively fulfilling arrest quotas set during the Trump administration. Notably, the case highlights the alarming reality for Colorado’s 169,000 undocumented immigrants and hundreds of thousands of Latine residents, who now live in constant fear due to these aggressive enforcement tactics.
Among the plaintiffs is Caroline Dias Goncalves, a 19-year-old University of Utah student who was arrested by ICE in June after being pulled over in Fruita. She spent 15 days in ICE’s Aurora detention center. The lawsuit states, “ICE’s arrest scheme is tearing families apart and terrorizing communities.”
The lawsuit names key officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, as defendants. ICE’s Denver Field Office declined to comment, referring inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, which has yet to respond.
The plaintiffs recount harrowing experiences, including physical injuries and emotional distress. Refugio Ramirez Ovando, a 43-year-old father and lawful permanent resident, was detained for over 90 days after being stopped while driving to work in Grand Junction. Another plaintiff, a 36-year-old asylum seeker identified only as J.S.T., lost his home after being arrested during an ICE raid at his apartment complex, where agents knocked on doors demanding identification.
The lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals in Colorado who have been arrested since January 20, 2025, without proper warrants or individualized assessments. It draws attention to a pattern of aggressive tactics, including raids at various locations, where agents reportedly conducted door-to-door inquiries without legal justification.
The legal action underscores a troubling trend: ICE arrests in Colorado have reportedly quadrupled in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, with many individuals targeted lacking criminal convictions. The lawsuit articulates a critical message about the emotional and psychological toll these actions have on families and communities.
As the ACLU and local law firms press for immediate relief in court, the implications of this case resonate far beyond Colorado. It raises urgent questions about the legality and morality of current immigration enforcement strategies and the ongoing impact on immigrant communities across the nation.
What’s next? As this case unfolds, observers will be closely monitoring the court’s response and the potential ripple effects on immigration policies. The lawsuit could set a precedent for how ICE operations are conducted, impacting thousands of lives.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the ACLU and its partners continue their fight against what they call unlawful practices by federal authorities.
