Colorado Attorney General Sued Over Immigration Law

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Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser is facing criticism after taking legal action against a local deputy sheriff for cooperating with federal immigration authorities, an action that appears to conflict with established federal law.

Deputy Sheriff Alexander Zwink of Mesa County is being sued for allegedly sharing information about an illegal immigrant with federal agents. According to reports, the deputy had acted in line with federal immigration procedures, raising concerns over whether the state’s enforcement contradicts national law.

At the center of the dispute is a Colorado state law that restricts local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Legal experts suggest that this law may violate a specific provision of federal immigration statute, as well as the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which gives federal law precedence over state law.

The U.S. Department of Justice has already taken steps to challenge Colorado’s statute, arguing that it unlawfully prevents local officers from communicating with immigration officials. That legal challenge is ongoing in federal court.

Attorney General Weiser’s lawsuit against Deputy Zwink has sparked wider debate about the balance between state and federal authority, particularly in matters of immigration. Critics say the lawsuit punishes deputies for performing their duties and upholding the law as written at the federal level.

Two Mesa County deputies, including Zwink, and their supervisors have faced disciplinary measures in relation to the case. Advocates argue they should be reinstated immediately, as their actions complied with federal directives.

This incident adds to the broader legal and political friction seen in some U.S. states, where local governments have adopted policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration agencies. The outcome of the current legal proceedings could set an important precedent for how such conflicts are handled nationwide.

Attorney General Weiser has defended his position, stating that Colorado’s law aims to protect community trust and uphold state-level legal priorities. However, opponents maintain that the enforcement of state law must not come at the expense of violating federal statutes.

A decision from the federal court is expected to clarify whether Colorado’s restrictions on immigration cooperation are legally sustainable.