Federal Judge Issues Injunction Against Colorado Law Targeting ICE Detention Center

A federal judge has temporarily blocked key provisions of a Colorado law aimed at increasing oversight of the GEO Group's Aurora ICE Processing Center. Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico ruled that Colorado likely overstepped its authority by imposing new requirements specifically on the facility, which operates under a federal contract. The judge noted that the law discriminates against GEO based on its status as a federal contractor, as it applies only to this facility and not to others. The blocked provisions included requirements for unannounced inspections every three months, which GEO would have to fund, and civil penalties for non-compliance. While Domenico did not block other provisions of the law regarding reporting and staffing requirements, he emphasized that the state had not enforced them yet. Colorado's Attorney General Phil Weiser stated that the ruling was a minor victory for GEO and reaffirmed the state's authority to investigate public health issues, including a tuberculosis case at the Aurora facility.