Colorado E-Filing System Now Requires Attorneys to Certify They Won’t Assist ICE, Lawyers Say

Attorneys across Colorado say the state's electronic court-filing portal now requires them to certify that they will not share personal identifying information to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal immigration authorities. The requirement cites the 2025 Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status Act, a state law that limits the collection and disclosure of immigration-status information in health care, education and government systems.

What the Notice Says

Multiple lawyers posted screenshots on X showing an on-screen certification presented to users of Colorado’s court case management and e-filing system. The message — accessible only to registered Colorado attorneys, according to a site review — asks users to either accept or decline the certification before proceeding.

I certify under penalty of perjury that I will not use or disclose personal identifying information, as defined by [the act], obtained from this database for the purpose of investigating for, participating in, cooperating with, or assisting in federal immigration enforcement, including enforcement of civil immigration laws and 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1325 or 1326, unless required by federal or state law or to comply with a court-issued subpoena, warrant, or order.

Reactions From Lawyers and the Judicial Department

Covenant Law founder Ian Speir posted that he was unable to log into the system without accepting the notice. Speir said he does not practice immigration or criminal law and that none of his matters involve immigration enforcement, but that he accepted the certification "under protest" because it blocked his access to active cases and filings.

Department of Homeland Security police officers patrol around the Edward Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles.(Getty Images)

Former law professor and attorney Matt Barber also criticized the requirement on social media, calling the oath "indefensible." Other commentators compared the move to more sweeping state opposition to federal enforcement actions.

The Colorado Judicial Department said it deployed an "updated certification process" on March 30 to comply with the 2025 law and that an earlier implementation had been paused in September for "additional review." The department added that most information in the court case management system (CCE) remains public and that the new requirement applies only to access to nonpublic personal identifying information as defined by statute. Attorneys who decline the agreement are required to complete a brief alternate certification to proceed.

Context: The 2025 Law

The Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status Act, sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and Sen. Mike Weissman (D-Aurora), also restricts civil arrests at courthouses and limits the ability of out-of-state "military forces" to operate in Colorado without executive permission unless acting under federal orders. The law also eliminates certain prior requirements that had asked college applicants and driver’s-license applicants to attest to lawful presence in the U.S.

Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to the Colorado Judicial Department, Governor Jared Polis and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for comment. The certification process is likely to prompt legal and policy debate about the balance between state privacy protections and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.