Colorado WINS, a union representing 27,000 state employees, and the AFL-CIO are suing Governor Jared Polis over an alleged directive to state employees to assist in what they claim is an illegal and morally wrong act.
The controversy revolves around a subpoena issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which seeks information on 35 individuals listed as sponsors of unaccompanied children in the U.S. illegally. The subpoena includes sensitive personal details such as addresses and phone numbers, which state employees are being asked to provide.
The Dispute Over the Subpoena
The DHS claims it has lost track of these children and fears they may be vulnerable to crimes such as human trafficking or other forms of exploitation. The subpoena demands state employees, particularly those at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, to comply and provide the requested information.
While two laws signed by Governor Polis prohibit state employees from sharing personally identifying information for immigration enforcement purposes, they contain an exception for criminal investigations.
Governor Polis’s office has defended the decision, stating that responding to the subpoena was necessary due to concerns over the potential exploitation of vulnerable minors. The spokesperson emphasized that the decision to comply was made carefully and in accordance with Colorado law, which allows information sharing to support criminal investigations.
State Officials and Activists Push Back
Scott Moss, a director at the Department of Labor and Employment, disagrees with the governor’s stance, pointing out that the subpoena was not issued by a judge and is labeled as an “Immigration Enforcement Subpoena.”
Moss filed a lawsuit against Governor Polis, arguing that complying with the subpoena would violate state laws designed to protect personal information from immigration enforcement.
State Senator Julie Gonzalez has taken a firm stance against the governor’s actions, calling for Polis’s resignation. “I don’t know about you, but Jared Polis has broken my trust,” Gonzalez stated, adding that the governor has also broken the trust of individuals who were promised their information would be protected from immigration agents.
Civil Rights Groups Join the Lawsuit
Civil rights groups, including Towards Justice, have joined the lawsuit. David Seligman, the organization’s Executive Director, criticized the governor’s decision. He questioned why Polis would help federal authorities like Donald Trump’s administration and ICE with immigration enforcement.
In response, the governor’s spokesperson reiterated the need to assist federal law enforcement in locating and rescuing children who may be victims of abuse and trafficking. The spokesperson emphasized that this action is both legally justified and morally necessary.
The Larger Context of Human Trafficking
The issue of unaccompanied minors and human trafficking is a significant concern. It is estimated that 75%-80% of unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border are victims of trafficking. The ongoing legal battle will be heard in the Denver District Court in the coming weeks.
The lawsuit against Governor Polis is part of a broader debate on the balance between protecting individual privacy and addressing the potential dangers faced by vulnerable children.
The case highlights the tension between state laws designed to protect residents from immigration enforcement and the federal government’s efforts to combat human trafficking. As the lawsuit progresses, it will likely spark further discussion on the roles of state and federal authorities in addressing such complex issues.