ICE activity reported in multiple Connecticut cities
Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in several Connecticut communities, including Danbury, Stamford and Bridgeport, are raising concerns among residents and local officials.
Eyewitnesses in Danbury reported seeing federal agents in the city and witnessing arrests in recent days.
Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves said he is angry and concerned about the reported arrests and detentions and the impact they may be having on families.
“There are children who are afraid they’re going to get home and their parents aren’t there,” Alves said. “There are kids who were at home yesterday and a parent never returned.”
Connecticut Students for a Dream said it has been working with rapid response groups across the state to gather information about detentions. The organization said its network received firsthand reports from eyewitnesses indicating that at least 21 people were detained, including 16 in Danbury, four in Stamford and one in Bridgeport.
NBC Connecticut has reached out to ICE to confirm those figures but has not yet received a response.
Alves is urging residents to understand their legal rights, including when they are required to open their doors to law enforcement.
“People should know that they don’t have to open their door unless that law enforcement agency has a warrant and has a reason to talk to them,” Alves said.
Seth Garben of Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants said enforcement activity appeared to increase this week.
“Things really started heating up again yesterday,” Garben said.
Video provided to NBC Connecticut by Al Robinson of HatCity Blog appears to show agents wearing vests labeled “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
Alves said city officials are typically not notified before agents arrive in Danbury.
“They don’t let us know if they’re going to be here. We don’t work with them. They don’t work with us,” Alves said.
ICE said in response to NBC Connecticut:
For operational security and the safety of our officers, ICE will not disclose or discuss law enforcement operations.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.
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