CT Senate pass bill aimed at protecting residents from ICE, sends it to House

Connecticut Democrats in the Senate pushed through a bill that they say protects residents from ICE agents.

The bill, S.B. 397, allows residents to sue federal law enforcement in state court. It also designates churches, schools, and hospitals as protected areas. Under the bill, federal law enforcement would need a judicial warrant to enter. ICE agents and all federal law enforcement at all levels would be required to show their badges and are banned from wearing masks.

Republicans blasted the bill on Tuesday, saying the state doesn’t have the ability to tell ICE agents how to do their jobs.

“Why are we doing this other than passing a bill that sounds good politically for them, and frankly is nothing more than a guise – an anti-cop bill,” said State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-Minority Leader).

The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday evening and is now heading to the House for approval.

Sen. Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) said that ICE’s operations have “instilled a fear into communities across our state that is crippling and cruel.”

“We’re taking action to make sure federal law enforcement has to follow the same rules that state and local police do. We’re making sure our local residents who are mistreated have recourse against those mistreating them. Against a backdrop of lawless violence and widespread discrimination, this bill tells Connecticut residents their safety is paramount,” Anwar said in a statement following the bill’s passing.

The passing of the bill also comes a day after the Justice Department (DOJ) launched a lawsuit against Connecticut and New Haven. The lawsuit, in part, targets Connecticut’s Trust Act and alleges that it interferes with the country’s immigration policies. The DOJ said it also targets other local sanctuary policies in New Haven.

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