Malloy's Immigration Memo 'Deeply Irresponsible,' Mayor Says: Report

DANBURY, CT — Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton has been critical of Gov. Dannel Malloy on a number of issues, and that scrutiny continued Monday. According to a report from Fox 61, Boughton said that Malloy's move to issue a memo to school superintendents and police chiefs on immigration enforcement Monday was "deeply irresponsible.:

Malloy's memo reminded local officials that they do not have to comply with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Boughton cited his cooperation with ICE, which he said has helped with the arrest and deportation of nearly two dozen serious criminals in Danbury.

The city's large immigrant community has voiced concerns over President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security's plans to step up deportation and immigration law enforcement, but officials said last week that the announcement changes nothing with regards to immigration enforcement.

See more local immigration coverage:

• Danbury Officials Say Local Immigration Enforcement Won't Change After DHS Announcement
• Danbury High School Walk Out: Students Protest End of Trump-Infused Harassment Case
• Day Without Immigrants Rally at Danbury City Hall Draws Numerous Supporters

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.

Malloy reiterated Monday that his instructions were not done to suggest an overly tolerant position on undocumented immigrants, reports the Connnecticut Post. In regards to Bridgeport murder suspect Oscar Hernandez, who had been previously deported, Malloy reiterated that the state would cooperated with immigration officials in the case.

Read more from Fox 61 here.

Image: Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton speaks at the state Capitol in Hartford on May 17, 2010. (Jessica Hill/Associated Press)