Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit on Tuesday demanding a preliminary injunction to stop the renovation, construction, and planned operation of a new civil immigration detention center in Hudson, Colorado. The suit argues that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have proceeded without completing the environmental review required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Legal basis and environmental concerns
According to the court filing, DHS and ICE “have violated NEPA by contracting for the facility’s operation without considering the potential environmental impacts.” Weiser’s office contends that the federal government must first conduct a thorough environmental analysis before moving forward with any construction or renovation of detention facilities.
State‑federal clash over immigration enforcement
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal battles launched by Colorado’s Attorney General against the federal immigration enforcement apparatus. Weiser previously sued private‑prison operator GEO Group in August, seeking to compel the company to comply with state health and safety inspections after a tuberculosis outbreak at its Aurora detention facility. That case was ultimately dismissed by a Trump‑appointed federal judge, who cited the Supremacy Clause and ruled that federal law preempts state‑level health and safety mandates for federally funded detention centers.
Weiser’s new filing underscores Colorado’s “deeply worried” citizenry about what he describes as the Trump administration’s “inhumane — and often illegal — mass deportation scheme.” The Attorney General’s office argues that the Hudson project would further entrench a system that undermines constitutional protections and places a burden on local communities.
Federal response and precedent
DHS and ICE have not responded to requests for comment. The federal government previously conducted an environmental review for immigration detention facilities in Texas, and officials there maintain that the process met all legal requirements. Weiser’s team argues that Colorado should receive the same treatment and that the federal review cannot be a blanket exemption for the Hudson site.
Broader implications for Colorado
This lawsuit marks the 84th legal action Weiser has taken against the current administration’s immigration policies. While the outcome remains uncertain, the case highlights the tension between state sovereignty and federal authority, especially when it comes to enforcing immigration laws that affect local health, safety, and environmental standards.
Colorado’s Attorney General continues to track the status of his lawsuits on the Attorney General Office’s website under the “Defending Colorado” section, providing transparency for residents who are concerned about the impact of federal immigration enforcement on their communities.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
