On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony regarding a proposed bill that would prohibit ICE officers from making civil arrests in Colorado courthouses.

“When courthouses are no longer are safe for everyone in Colorado to go and seek justice, that strikes me as problematic,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, who is sponsoring this bill. “We have to make sure everyone can access justice.”

The bill was created in response to arrests that have taken place at courthouses in Colorado, where immigration officers detained undocumented immigrants attending court proceedings. Gonzales argued that this threat can obstruct the justice system.

Advocates, some through tears and breaking voices, spoke on behalf of victims of ICE detentions, detailing the trauma inflicted upon them and their families when they were trying to comply with the justice system.

Legal experts and advocacy groups and argued that ICE threats discourage witnesses, victims and defendants from complying with the law, preventing people from their right to a fair trial.

The bill passed 3-2 and will go to the Senate floor.