Since 2016, the federal government has been cracking down on the rights of undocumented immigrants. In response, several states, including Colorado, passed so-called “sanctuary” laws to limit state cooperation federal immigration authorities. One of the first states to pass sanctuary laws was California, which has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of undocumented immigrants.
The federal government formally challenged California on this matter, pressing the Supreme Court to strike down the state’s sanctuary measures. However, the Supreme Court decided today that it will not hear the Trump administration’s challenge to these laws. So, what does this mean for immigrants in Colorado?
A small victory for sanctuary states
The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear this case is a victory for state sanctuary laws. By declining, the Court leaves California’s sanctuary laws in place and limits the Trump administration’s power to force the state to obey federal immigration policy. This is a positive sign for other sanctuary states such as Colorado. It means that, moving forward, the federal government likely will not have ground to force state authorities to cooperate with its anti-immigration policies.
There is still a long fight for immigration rights
This does not mean that the battle for immigrants’ rights is over. The administration has made it clear that it will continue to push for the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants, even in sanctuary states.
Although Colorado’s stance is not to comply with Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE), foreign nationals may still face challenges to their immigration status. It is crucial for every immigrant, with and without visas or green cards, to know and protect their rights. An immigration attorney can help by explaining immigration laws, providing representation during hearings and securing temporary or permanent residency in the U.S.