The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition is outraged by the whistleblower lawsuit filed today, which exposes a secret ICE subpoena from the Trump administration and alleges that Governor Jared Polis’s administration pressured state employees to illegally share immigrant data—violating Colorado’s own privacy laws. According to the lawsuit, ICE sought to obtain private labor records of Coloradans who sponsored unaccompanied minors—without a court order, without probable cause, and in direct violation of Colorado law.
Polis Administration Accused of Undermining Immigrant Privacy Protections
No one should be forced to choose between following the law and protecting their community. Yet that is exactly what this subpoena—and the alleged pressure from Governor Polis’s administration to comply—has done to state employees. It is deeply disturbing that the same administration that signed SB21-131 and SB25-276 into law, measures we fought for to stop state agencies from sharing personal data with ICE, is now accused of trying to undermine those very protections.
Coloradans have seen firsthand the trauma caused when ICE is allowed to co-opt our state government and institutions as tools for surveillance and deportation. This lawsuit is a chilling reminder of why those protections are necessary and why we must remain vigilant.
“In 2021, we conducted a CORA investigation and exposed a dangerous collaboration between the DMV’s fraud investigations unit and ICE—an abuse of power that put our communities in harm’s way. When state agencies hand over personal data, lives are upended. We fought back then, and we’re ready to do it again. If these latest allegations are true, they reveal a deep betrayal—not just of immigrant families, but of the laws our state has put in place to protect all of us from federal overreach. We will use every tool available to hold this administration accountable. Our community deserves transparency, dignity, and leadership with the courage to stand up—not sell us out,” shared Gladis Ibarra, Co-Executive Director, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
“We applaud the courage of the whistleblower, Scott Moss, who came forward to shine a light on these disturbing actions. In Colorado, we look out for one another—we don’t stay silent when our neighbors are being targeted. This act of conscience reflects the best of our values: standing up for truth, for families, and for the safety and dignity of our communities,” stated Henry Sandman, Co-Executive Director, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
Calls for Accountability & Thorough Investigation
We urge an immediate investigation into the whistleblower’s claims that Governor Polis’s administration pressured staff to share immigrant data with ICE—violating SB21-131 and SB25-276. The Governor must clarify his position and uphold the immigrant privacy protections enshrined in Colorado law. No state employee or department should ever be forced to act against our values or against Colorado law. It is unacceptable to weaponize state resources against immigrant communities. Colorado must not be complicit in the Trump administration’s deportation agenda—not then, not now. Our communities deserve safety, dignity, and trust—not betrayal behind closed doors.