Colorado SB25-276 (Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status)
Passed: May 2025
Governor: Jared Polis
Status: Active Law
Why This Bill Protects Immigrant Communities
- Extends prohibition on immigration detainers: Prohibits all peace officers in the state from arresting or detaining anyone based on a civil immigration detainer request
- Prevents release delays: Clarifies that local law enforcement cannot delay a person's release for an immigration enforcement operation
- Restricts ICE access: Prevents federal immigration officers from entering non-public spaces in jails, hospitals, schools, child care centers, churches, and libraries without a warrant
- Strengthens data privacy: Bars local governments, courts, and schools from sharing personally identifiable information (birthdays, addresses, vehicle registration, immigration status) with ICE
- Extends protections beyond existing law: Broadens 2019 law that originally prohibited detention based on immigration detainers
- Removes affidavit requirements: Eliminates requirements for undocumented individuals to submit affidavits about status when seeking in-state tuition or driver's licenses
- Allows plea vacatur: Permits immigrants to ask courts to vacate guilty pleas for certain misdemeanors if they weren't advised of immigration consequences
- Creates accountability: Employees who violate the law can be fined up to $50,000
- Response to increased enforcement: Passed in direct response to Trump administration's mass deportation efforts and increased ICE activity in Colorado
Key Quote
"This bill does not provide immigrants with more rights than citizens, but it ensures equal treatment under the law." — Rep. Elizabeth Velasco