The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched its first official legal action against the City of Denver and the State of Colorado, challenging so-called "sanctuary policies." The Trump administration has asked a judge to overturn state and city policies restricting local cooperation with federal immigration officials. The lawsuit filed Friday lists Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, Mayor Mike Johnston, Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser and Sheriff Elias Diggins as defendants. The lawsuit accuses the state and local leaders of improperly preempting the federal government's ability to carry out immigration enforcement. It challenges the constitutionality of several state laws limiting local law enforcement's ability to enforce immigration law and share information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and restricting ICE's ability to enter jails or interview inmates they suspect of violating immigration laws. The lawsuit also seeks to overturn a Denver ordinance that prohibits city employees from using city resources to assist federal immigration officers and bars ICE from entering secure areas of city jails without a warrant signed by a judge. The DOJ argues those policies are too restrictive and require ICE agents to "engage in difficult and dangerous efforts" when they attempt to detain people outside of jails. More local videos here: https://youtube.com/@9news Subscribe to NEXT: https://youtube.com/@Nexton9NEWS Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: https://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news X: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.