New Video Shows ICE Activity Near Danbury School Bus Stop: Mayor

DANBURY, CT — Newly released school bus footage shows federal immigration enforcement activity near a Danbury bus stop moments after children boarded, according to Mayor Roberto Alves.

Alves addressed the footage obtained by CT Insider Monday, weeks after residents raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement occurring near children and school bus stops during a four-day ICE operation in August.

At the time, the Department of Homeland Security disputed reports that ICE arrested a parent near a Danbury school bus stop. DHS said the vehicle stop did not occur near a bus stop and that the man arrested was alone. The agency reiterated that account after releasing the school bus footage.

“Newly released school bus footage shows federal immigration enforcement activity near a Danbury bus stop, moments after children boarded,” Alves said. “The video also shows adults fleeing from the scene.”

“Weeks ago, we raised these concerns because our residents deserved to be heard, and the footage now validates what they expressed occurred,” Alves said. “My priority remains protecting every Danbury child and family while advocating for enforcement practices that uphold public safety and respect our community’s dignity.”

ICE Boston has since confirmed it made 118 arrests in southern Connecticut the week of Aug. 24.

The agency said numerous people arrested during the operation had been charged with crimes including sexual assault against a child, child abuse, weapons offenses, drug dealing and assault.

ICE highlighted five people arrested during the operation, including people with previous convictions and others with pending criminal charges.

When Patch requested additional information about the arrests, including how many occurred in Danbury, ICE directed Patch to its Sept. 11 news release. The release does not provide a Danbury-specific arrest total or additional individual information on the 118 people arrested.