Gov. Lamont signs bill making it easier for people to sue ICE, federal law enforcement
Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a bill that, among other changes, would allow people to sue immigration agents and other federal law enforcement in state court.
Democrats said the bill is a response to the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which resulted in two deaths in Minnesota and sparked protests nationwide.
“There are a lot of folks that belong in this state, and that’s what this bill is about,” Lamont (D-Connecticut) said prior to signing the bill outside the state Supreme Court in Hartford. “We love you, we care about you.”
The bill also bans local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks or hiding their identities.
Additionally, it requires officers to get a judicial warrant before making an arrest in schools, houses of worship, or other protected areas.
The bill garnered no support from Republicans.
Rep. Greg Howard (R-Stonington) said he would have supported efforts to protect residents from misconduct by federal agents, including a provision that would have allowed the Office of the Inspector General to investigate the use of deadly force.
He objected to the law also applying to state and local police.
“We don’t understand why nobody wants to join the profession,” Howard said. “I do, and it’s bills like this. If you have an issue with ICE, keep it about ICE. Keep our state and local cops out of it.”
Republicans have suggested that a federal court would block the state from enforcing the law against federal officers, meaning the changes would apply only to state and local police.
Attorney General William Tong (D) expressed confidence he could defend the law from a legal challenge.
“Anybody suggest that this defies federal law or nullifies federal law, that’s garbage, that’s nonsense,” Tong said. “This is totally consistent with federal and state law and constitutional design.”
The bill is the latest iteration in Connecticut’s battle with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.
Lawmakers last year expanded the Trust Act, which limits cooperation by state and local police with federal immigration officers. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last month, calling Connecticut a “sanctuary State.”
Democrats called this law a priority for this session, continuing to characterize their actions as defending Connecticut against the Trump Administration.
“Connecticut is standing up because we know that the constitution doesn’t just apply to me and those who were born here, but everyone who is on this land,” Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) said.
Republicans, though, said the law hurts local and state law enforcement at the expense of scoring political points.
“They got their press release, they got their press conference, but in the end, there’s going to be a lot of repairs to the damage done to law enforcement in the state of Connecticut,” Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-Minority Leader).
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