Denver Joins Legal Fight Against ICE

Denver Joins Legal Fight Against ICE

Published on January 28, 2026

Mayor Mike Johnston today announced Denver has joined three dozen cities and counties in an amicus brief against the Trump Administration's unlawful invasion of Minneapolis.

An amicus brief allows a party to weigh in to support another party's legal claim. In this instance, Denver argues that President Trump recklessly deployed ICE to the Twin Cities to cause chaos as punishment for state and local policy, a violation of the 10^th Amendment. These actions have cost two people their lives, harmed countless others, eroded trust in federal law enforcement, and created widespread fear.

"ICE's occupation of American cities must end now," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "It's not enough that two innocent people are dead, or that their families are unlikely to ever see justice served. President Trump unleashed this reckless and lethal ICE invasion, and now parents are so afraid of being abducted they're scared to take their kids to the hospital or leave the house without their passports or birth certificates. ICE isn't keeping us safe from the bad guys. Right now, they are the bad guys - and the longer they remain on our streets without immediate reforms the more people are in danger."

"What is happening in Minneapolis is not something that should ever happen in America," said Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. "Families, immigrant and otherwise, are living in fear and two American citizens are dead. We know this administration isn't interested in accountability, so it's time for the courts to show it still cares about the rule of law and prevent this from happening to another city."

Denver has filed five lawsuits and two additional amicus briefs against the Trump Administration to protect federal funding, preserve city policy, and defend the rights of individuals to seek reproductive care.

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