Two Colorado deputies have been disciplined for sharing information with federal immigration agents, violating a new state law that prohibits local government employees from sharing identifying details about individuals with federal immigration officials. The incident began when Mesa County Sheriff’s Deputy Alexander Zwinck was involved in a traffic stop for a Brazilian college student, Caroline Dias-Goncalves, who was later arrested by ICE for an expired visa. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Zwinck shared her location and vehicle details in a Signal chat with ICE agents, leading to her 15-day detention. An internal investigation also found a second deputy, Erik Olson, shared similar information, both placed on unpaid leave and removed from the task force. The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, cited a new state law signed by Democrat Gov. Jared Polis as the basis for his lawsuit against Zwinck, asserting that local law, this law is part of a growing trend to limit state involvement in immigration enforcement, has sparked a legal challenge from the Department of Justice, which argues it may violate federal immigration laws. As the controversy escalates, the debate over state and federal boundaries in immigration policy continues to dominate political discourse, with significant implications for law enforcement practices and legal compliance.
Caroline Dias-Goncalves, a 19-year-old nursing student, was pulled over by Zwinck for driving too close to a semi-truck on June 5. After being released with a warning, she was later detained by ICE, leading to a 15-day stay in a detention facility before being released on bond. The incident has drawn public attention, as it underscores the potential consequences of state laws impacting federal immigration procedures. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the department should not have been involved in the arrest, and the deputy’s actions were deemed a clear violation of Colorado’s new regulations. The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Phil Weiser was based on the state law introduced by Gov. Jared Polis, which explicitly restricts the sharing of identifying information with federal immigration authorities. This legal measure forms part of a series of state laws aimed at curbing state involvement in immigration enforcement, a policy that has faced opposition from federal authorities.
The internal investigation revealed that Zwinck and Olson shared information with ICE agents, believing they were following routine procedures. However, they had both received and read emails highlighting the limits on cooperation with immigration officials. Despite this, their actions resulted in a direct conflict with the new state law, leading to disciplinary measures. The sheriff criticized the attorney general for initiating the lawsuit before the investigation was complete, arguing that it undermines the morale of law enforcement. Meanwhile, Weiser defended the legal action, stating it is his duty to enforce state laws and protect Coloradans, especially in cases of alleged violations. The situation highlights the complexities of balancing state and federal responsibilities in immigration enforcement, as well as the challenges of maintaining public trust and legal compliance within law enforcement agencies.