Latino groups sue U.S. government over Colorado ICE detention center

Two Latino organizations, GreenLatinos and the Coalition for Immigrant Rights in Colorado (CIRC), have filed a lawsuit against the United States government to block the opening of a new ICE detention center in Hudson, Colorado.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, argues that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to conduct required environmental assessments before moving forward with the project at the Big Horn facility. The plaintiffs contend that reopening the former private prison could negatively impact air quality, water supply, wastewater treatment, traffic, and public health.

The proposed center has a capacity for up to 1,250 immigrants. Advocates note that Hudson is part of the Denver/North Front Range metropolitan region, which currently struggles to meet federal ozone air quality standards.