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DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support immigrant communities and increase transparency for state and local law enforcement and regulate immigration detention facilities.
“Coloradans who look like me are being forcefully detained, injured and even killed by federal law enforcement,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We won’t let the federal government operate dangerous and inhumane detention centers without oversight, and our bill ensures facilities are regularly inspected. All Coloradans deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and this bill establishes some important guardrails for detention centers and safeguards Coloradans’ privacy.”
“Across the country, we’ve witnessed illegal detainments, mass deportations, and young children, even infants being forcefully ripped from their families. Enough is enough,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “In Colorado, we’re strengthening existing privacy protections and setting some much needed parameters on federal detention centers. Under our bill, detention centers would be subject to frequent and regular inspections to not only promote better health and safety, but more transparency for our community.”
Last year, Democratic lawmakers passed SB25-276 to strengthen existing data privacy protections and clarify constitutional protections for immigrants. Importantly, this bill requires more oversight over detention facilities. HB26-1276 aims to improve:
Requiring reporting on conditions in immigration detention facilities through frequent and regular inspections of the health and safety of facilities, in addition to unannounced inspections, and environmental impact studies for new detention facilities. The facility would be required to pay for the studies.
Strengthening laws on the sharing of personal information by state agencies and their employees.
Directing the Attorney General’s office to develop a policy for sharing information with federal authorities when required by federal law. The policy must include transparency requirements, such as who is requesting the personal information.
Requiring law enforcement to receive training on Colorado’s immigration laws before being certified to ensure they enforce state laws properly.