Overview
- SB26-005 would let people sue federal immigration officers in Colorado state court for constitutional violations and seek damages and legal fees.
- Sponsors say the measure covers alleged abuses such as illegal home searches, denial of due process, and excessive force.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bill on a 5-2 party-line vote after a hearing that drew roughly 60 speakers over more than three hours.
- Republicans opposed the proposal, warning of taxpayer costs, legal conflicts, and a potential chilling effect on law enforcement.
- Democrats also outlined additional bills to require agents to show identification and forgo masks, mandate detention-center health and environmental inspections, and shield people from deportation when traveling to or from specified essential places, while the Senate passed a resolution backing immigrants and federal-transparency efforts.