Danbury Officials Say Local Immigration Enforcement Won't Change After DHS Announcement

Image via the Hatters' Herald Student Newspaper

DANBURY, CT — The city's large immigrant community has voiced concerns over the Department of Homeland Security's plans to step up deportation and immigration law enforcement, but officials say the announcement changes nothing with regards to immigration enforcement.

Det. Lt. Christian Carroccio of the Danbury Police Department told Patch that the city will comply with the state's TRUST Act. Signed into law in 2013, the act limits coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies.

The act also prevents law enforcement officials from detaining undocumented immigrants on an immigration detainer unless they have been convicted of a felony, have an outstanding arrest warrant or are a member of a gang. To sign up for Danbury breaking news alerts and more, click here.

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"The Danbury Police Department will comply with the state’s TRUST Act," said Carroccio.

In tweets Thursday, Mayor Mark Boughton said that the city will maintain the same process that they've always had, and that there are no changes to police policy with regards to immigration enforcement.

However, Boughton told the Connecticut Post that things could change if formal action is taken by the federal government, and that the city would provide assistance to federal agencies such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they ask.

Boughton also added that the city has always provided assistance to federal agencies, according to the report, and estimated that there are approximately 5,000 undocumented residents in Danbury.

Residents across the city have gathered and spoken out in regards to the uncertain climate for undocumented immigrants. Hundreds gathered outside City Hall last week during the "Day Without Immigrants" campaign, and dozens of city businesses closed in support of the movement.

On Thursday, approximately 500 Danbury High School students staged a walk-out to protest what they called a 'weak response' to a situation in which a supporter of President Donald Trump was not arrested after being accused of harassing students outside the school.

Gov. Dannel Malloy and Trump have been feuding over the matter of immigration after Malloy recommended local police departments don’t take action solely to enforce federal immigration law and that the federal government can’t mandate state and local authorities spend resources if the matter doesn’t involve state law or local ordinance.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer denounced Malloy’s recent instructions, saying it was “troubling” that Malloy is sending a message to the people of Connecticut and other governors that only certain laws have to be followed.

Boughton criticized Malloy's remarks, arguing to the Connecticut Post that the governor's goal was to score 'political points.' Boughton also doubled down on those remarks via Twitter.