A federal judge in Denver, R. Brooke Jackson, has issued a ruling that restricts the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Colorado. The judge determined that ICE agents cannot make arrests without a warrant unless they can demonstrate that the individual poses a flight risk. This decision is part of a broader legal trend that critiques the immigration enforcement strategies implemented during the previous administration.

Judge Jackson, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, found that ICE had unlawfully detained immigrants—some for periods extending up to 100 days—without establishing the necessary probable cause that these individuals were likely to flee. Legal representatives challenging these practices highlighted that ICE has detained individuals who do not present flight risks, particularly during operations at traffic stops and in communities with significant Latino populations.

Tim Macdonald, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, emphasized that ICE has been operating in a manner that neglects established legal protocols. The ruling may lead to significant changes in how ICE conducts operations in the state, potentially reducing the agency's authority to detain individuals based solely on their immigration status.

Attorneys for the detained immigrants noted that many of their clients could have received a notice to appear in immigration court instead of facing prolonged detention, which has resulted in job loss, housing instability, and financial difficulties for those affected. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to the ruling.