Denver Mayor Backs Protesters, Bars Sites for ICE Actions

Executive order aims to protect peaceful anti-ICE protesters and detain federal agents using excessive force

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, signed an executive order on Thursday directing city police to protect peaceful anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters and authorizing officers to detain federal agents who use deadly force. The order also prohibits the use of city-owned property for immigration enforcement staging or operations.

Why it matters

The move is a sharp escalation in Denver's pushback against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. It reflects lingering outrage over recent incidents involving federal agents deploying lethal force against civilians. The order sets up a potential legal battle with the federal government over the limits of local authority on immigration enforcement.

The details

The executive order directs the Denver Police Department to protect peaceful protesters, provide emergency medical assistance, and de-escalate conflicts with ICE officers. It also directs local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute any ICE officer who assaults, shoots, or kills someone in Denver. The order prohibits the use of city-owned property, including parks or parking lots, for immigration enforcement staging or operations.

  • On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Mayor Mike Johnston signed the executive order.
  • The order comes days after President Trump called on Congress to "end deadly sanctuary cities" in his State of the Union address on February 24, 2026.

The players

Mike Johnston

The Democratic mayor of Denver who signed the executive order.

Ron Thomas

The Denver Police Chief who stated that officers will refrain from intervening in authorized immigration enforcement activities.

Abigail Jackson

The White House spokeswoman who criticized Mayor Johnston's order.

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was killed in Minneapolis during a confrontation involving federal immigration agents.

Renee Nicole Good

A person who was killed in Minneapolis after an encounter with an ICE officer.

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What’s next

The Justice Department is expected to challenge the legality of Denver's executive order, setting up a potential legal battle over the limits of local authority on immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

Denver's executive order reflects the growing tensions between local governments and the federal government over immigration enforcement, with cities like Denver seeking to protect their immigrant communities from what they see as overzealous and potentially abusive tactics by federal agents.