UPDATE: DOJ Sues CT, Gov., New Haven, and Mayor Elicker Over Sanctuary Policies, TRUST Act

WASHINGTON, DC — Updated 7:30 p.m. with statements from Gov. Ned Lamont, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and CT State Attorney General William Tong, and Congressman John B. Larson, after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit targeting Connecticut’s Trust Act and New Haven’s Welcoming City Executive Order.

Original story:

Monday, the Trump Administration sued the city and Mayor Justin Elicker in what the DOJ called a "challenge" to New Haven and the state's "sanctuary policies that interfere with the federal government’s enforcement of immigration laws."

Elicker said that the city is going to "fight this lawsuit with all we've got."

"We are confident we are on the right side of the law here," he said.

The lawsuit, which names the state of Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont, AG William Tong, the city of New Haven, and its mayor, "targets" the state's Trust Act, "as well as other state and local sanctuary policies."

"Not only are the policies illegal under federal law, but, as alleged in the complaint, they have allowed dangerous criminals to be released into Connecticut communities," the news release from DOJ reads.

"The State’s and City’s intentional efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement put citizens at risk and are preempted under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution," it continues.

"For years, Connecticut communities have paid the price of these misguided sanctuary policies," said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. "This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law."

Elicker, asked while wrapping up another news briefing on a negligent landlord, said he was "not surprised" by the lawsuit.

"It's not surprising that the Trump Administration is targeting us," he said. "I've been a vocal critic of the Trump Administration and its policies, particularly around the very aggressive attacks against immigrants."

Elicker also said the complaint has "untruths in it." He called sections "misleading."

An example he cited was that the complaint uses ellipses when quoting the city's ordinance rather than complete wording, hence obscuring its meaning."

A 'Welcoming City'

In January of 2025, days before Trump was sworn in as president, Elicker and other city officials and community leaders held a press conference "reaffirming New Haven’s commitment as a welcoming city for all and will highlight important resources and services available to New Haven’s immigrant community and newest residents."

From the mayor's office at the time:

"Per the City of New Haven’s Welcoming City executive order, the New Haven Police Department will not ask residents about their immigration status unless required by state of federal law. However, if you are stopped by law enforcement, it is important to know your rights while also complying with law enforcement officials and their lawful orders and directives."

In a news briefing Jan. 17, 2025, Elicker noted that the state's TRUST Act "provides for certain guidelines and prohibitions for how all Connecticut Law Enforcement should be interacting with ICE..."

New Haven follows a "Welcoming City" policy, enacted via executive order in June 2020. It was designed to make all residents—regardless of immigration status—feel safe and supported. This policy is primarily implemented through an Executive Order that bars city employees, including police officers, from asking about a person's immigration status unless mandated by state or federal law.

And in a June 2025 Patch interview with then-police chief Karl Jacobson, he said the police department has had its own police, since 2007. The New Haven Police Department does have a task force officer with the Department of Homeland Security, the chief said then, but that officer, "Only works child porn and child trafficking cases."

The Trump Administration is targeting what it says are "illegal sanctuary policies" across the country, including Minnesota, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, New York State, Colorado, Illinois, Rochester, and several New Jersey cities.

Statements from Gov. Ned Lamont, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, CT State Attorney General William Tong and Congressman John B. Larson:

“New Haven is proudly a welcoming city. Immigrants who want to be productive members of our community are welcomed and embraced in New Haven.

“Our Welcoming City policy is not only a legally sound policy that is compliant with all local, state and federal law, it’s also a practical policy that helps keep our residents and community safe. We’re committed to ensuring all New Haveners feel safe calling the police, seeking medical care, sending their kids to school, and accessing other critical public services. Conversely, if any individual commits a violent crime in New Haven, we’re committed to arresting them and bringing them to justice, regardless of their immigration status.

“Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the Trump Administration’s lawsuit contains inaccuracies and untruths about New Haven’s Welcoming City executive order. We are confident we are on the right side of the law – and, equally important, we are confident we are on the right side of history. We will continue to stand up to President Trump and we will continue to defend our residents, our city and our values,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

“This is the sovereign state of Connecticut, and it is my honor to be its Attorney General. The sovereign people of Connecticut have exercised our right to pass state laws like the Trust Act that prioritize public safety and ensure that all people can trust and rely on law enforcement to keep us safe.

“It is our policy and the law of the state of Connecticut to respect and honor immigrant workers and families, and we welcome their contributions to our state. It is a shame that the President and the Department of Justice are not focused on public safety but are wasting federal resources on attacking Connecticut with a baseless lawsuit that has no foundation in law or fact. Connecticut is not a "sanctuary" state, whatever that means.

“This term is meaningless and has no basis in Connecticut law. We will defend Connecticut and Connecticut families and fight this lawless attack with every fiber of our being,” said Attorney General Tong.

“We will defend Connecticut’s laws vigorously against the complaints outlined in the federal government’s lawsuit. Our Trust Act and related policies are consistent with the Constitution and reflect our responsibility to govern responsibly, protect public safety, and uphold the rights of all residents.

“Connecticut respects the rule of law and the constitutional roles of both federal and state governments. Connecticut law enforcement prioritizes serious criminal activity and works every day to keep our communities safe, while also respecting constitutional protections afforded to residents and maintaining trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

“Our laws do not prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration law. Rather, they reflect a longstanding principle: the federal government cannot require states to use their personnel or resources to carry out federal enforcement responsibilities,” said Governor Ned Lamont.

“This lawsuit is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s weaponization of the justice system – a baseless hit-job attacking Connecticut officials and our state’s immigrant communities. The real lawlessness here is the President's transformation of federal immigration enforcement into his own secret police force. On his watch, agents have executed citizens in our streets, snatched mothers from their children in communities right here in our state, and threatened peaceful protesters with excessive force across the country. Our state and local law enforcement work hard to keep our communities safe. They are not an extension of Donald Trump’s personal army. I stand with the leader of our delegation, Rosa DeLauro, Attorney General William Tong, Governor Lamont, and local leaders like Mayor Justin Elicker, who will fight this lawsuit with every fiber of their being to protect Connecticut residents—and they will prevail." Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01)

Here's the full 83-page DOJ complaint: