ICE arrested 65 undocumented individuals across Connecticut in a four-day operation targeting those with prior convictions, sparking debate over state protections under the Trust Act.
At a Glance
- ICE conducted a four-day sweep called “Operation Broken Trust”
- 65 individuals were arrested in Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford
- Targets included people with prior convictions for violent crimes and trafficking
- Immigrant advocates and state officials raised due process concerns
- Questions emerged over limits of Connecticut’s Trust Act during federal raids
Operation Broken Trust
Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched “Operation Broken Trust” across Connecticut, arresting 65 individuals in coordinated sweeps centered on Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford. Officials stated that the focus was on those with past records of violent crime, assault, and trafficking offenses.
Watch now: ICE immigration crackdown | 65 illegal aliens nabbed in Connecticut under 4-day ‘Op Broken Trust’ · YouTube
The four-day action was described by ICE as part of a broader push to remove individuals deemed threats to public safety. According to federal officials, those detained will now undergo immigration proceedings, with some potentially facing deportation if ordered by federal courts.
State-Level Pushback
Connecticut’s Trust Act, first passed in 2013 and strengthened in 2019, restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE detainers except under limited conditions such as violent felonies or judicial warrants. Critics argue that the latest sweep highlights gaps between state-level protections and federal enforcement authority.
Immigrant rights groups condemned the arrests, warning that raids like this foster fear in immigrant communities and discourage cooperation with local police. Several Connecticut lawmakers echoed concerns, stressing that due process rights must be upheld, particularly in cases where families and communities are disrupted by federal enforcement actions.
Legal and Policy Tensions
Legal experts note that while Connecticut law limits local cooperation, it cannot override federal jurisdiction in immigration enforcement. This has left municipalities in a difficult position, balancing compliance with federal operations against state-level commitments to immigrant protections.
Advocates emphasized that many detainees could have existing legal remedies, including pending asylum cases or appeals. Attorneys are expected to file motions challenging some of the arrests, particularly where they believe ICE exceeded its stated scope of targeting individuals with violent criminal backgrounds.
Wider Implications
The operation has renewed scrutiny of the Trust Act’s protections and their practical effect when federal authorities intervene directly. Community organizations across Connecticut have begun mobilizing support networks for affected families, providing legal aid and emergency resources.
Observers suggest that the case could influence broader debates over immigration enforcement across New England, where several states have enacted laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. As Connecticut prepares for possible legal challenges to the arrests, the balance of state and federal power in immigration enforcement remains unresolved.
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