Readers recall that in March, despite a 2019 U.S. immigration judge\u2019s order protecting him from deportation, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador. The administration later admitted it was a mistake. More than two months later, on Friday, finally responding to a unanimous Supreme Court directive, Abrego Garcia was returned to the U.S.<\/p>\n
On May 29, the Department of Homeland Security published a list of so-called \u201csanctuary jurisdictions.\u201d The list appeared on DHS\u2019s official website and named 500 jurisdictions said to obstruct immigration enforcement, as directed by an April 28 executive order. It was riddled with errors \u2013 cities mislabeled as counties, misspellings and inaccurate designations. After a bipartisan outcry from officials in red and blue jurisdictions alike, DHS quietly pulled the list days later. Visitors now see only a \u201cPage Not Found\u201d error.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t the first time. A similar list issued under Trump in 2017 was withdrawn by the Department of Justice\u2019s own inspector general because of \u201csignificant inaccuracies.\u201d In January, a week into his second term, Trump retaliated and fired more than a dozen federal inspectors general \u2013 independent watchdogs who challenged his administration\u2019s actions on immigration and more.<\/p>\n
The 10th Amendment is clear. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. The federal government cannot command the states to enforce a federal regulatory program. \u201c \u2026 state and local law enforcement cannot be commandeered to enforce federal civil immigration laws,\u201d Polis said in a bill-signing statement (Journal<\/em><\/a>, Jun. 6).<\/p>\n The Journal\u2019s<\/em> editorial board appreciates ICE\u2019s role as long as its actions are lawful and don\u2019t undermine trust in law enforcement. Residents, including undocumented ones, must continue to see local law enforcement as protectors, not predators. Our communities are safest when crimes are reported by all residents regardless of their immigration status.<\/p>\n Now, a new controversy is unfolding. Last Thursday, Polis announced Colorado would comply with an ICE subpoena seeking personal information on 35 state residents who served as sponsors for unaccompanied migrant children. ICE claims the sponsors may be linked to child trafficking. This is a dubious claim as sponsors must pass a background check and are thoroughly vetted, though the administration suggests otherwise.<\/p>\n