Fairfield First Selectperson Issues Statement On Immigration And Minneapolis

FAIRFIELD, CT — In the wake of the killing of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti over the weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fairfield First Selectperson Christine Vitale issued the following statement on safety, and in support of the town's immigrant community:

This past weekend brought snow, but it also brought more disturbing news and heartbreaking images out of Minneapolis. In a matter of weeks, federal immigration control and enforcement has again resulted in the loss of life of a US citizen; this should concern us all.

As First Selectperson, it is my responsibility to make sure our residents feel safe, respected, and protected within our community. This includes our immigrant friends and neighbors.

Fairfield’s immigrant population is a vital part of our community’s past and present. They helped build this Town: they work and run local businesses, they teach in our schools, preach in our houses of worship, volunteer, and serve within our Town government.

The Fairfield Police Department remains focused on maintaining the safety of our neighborhoods, keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, and upholding the law. Our collective priority is the well-being of our community and keeping Fairfield a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.

In Connecticut, the Trust Act protects civil liberties and ensures that local and state police are not deputized to carry out federal immigration enforcement. This allows our officers to focus on what matters most, building and maintaining trust with all members of our community, protecting public safety, and enforcing criminal laws, motor vehicle laws, and town ordinances. In Fairfield, we are committed to the American tradition of caring for our neighbors. We remain, in spite of our differences, a community of friends.