ACLU Responds to ICE Apprehension of Man in Danbury

DANBURY, CT -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut issued a strong statement accusing federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of jeopardizing public safety in their apprehension of a man in Danbury today.

Police report that ICE agents, with a warrant for his deportation, chased Samuel Coctecon Cruz in front of Danbury Superior Court Friday morning. Cruz was struck by a vehicle during his attempt to flee the agents.

In a release, Dan Barrett, legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said:

“ICE agents jeopardized this man’s life and public safety by chasing him into the street, and they undermined public safety and justice by using the Danbury Courthouse as a hunting ground for deportation. The Trump administration’s vicious practice of picking up immigrants at courthouses is dangerous and unjust. It threatens public safety and subverts justice by making it harder for Connecticut residents to exercise their constitutional rights to access protection, call witnesses, offer testimony, settle custody matters, and seek redress.”

Cruz was taken to Danbury hospital, where he remains in the custody of ICE.