ICE Notified Officials Of Presence In Stamford Tuesday: Public Safety

STAMFORD, CT — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) notified officials of their presence in Stamford Tuesday morning, according to a statement released Tuesday afternoon by the Stamford Office of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare.

"At approximately 8 a.m. on January 28, the City of Stamford Public Safety Dispatch Center received a call from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents notifying them that ICE would have a presence in Stamford this morning," the statement said. "The Stamford Police Department was not involved and did not have any additional information."

It's unclear where or if any ICE raids occurred Tuesday in Stamford.

President Donald Trump and members of his administration have begun isolated immigration raids around the country, and the Connecticut Post reports that increased immigration enforcement action has occurred recently in Connecticut, though it is not clear whether that is from Trump's plans.

School districts in Connecticut are preparing for potential ICE raids.

Gov. Ned Lamont and CT Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker issued guidance Tuesday to K-12 public schools regarding immigration activities.

Also on Tuesday, Mayor Caroline Simmons, Stamford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero, and Stamford Board of Education Pesident Michael Hyman issued a letter about the federal immigration policy.

"We are writing to reaffirm that Stamford Public Schools (SPS) welcomes all resident children into our schools without consideration of race, religion, creed, gender, physical disability, intellectual disability, socioeconomic status, or immigration status," the letter said. "Stamford Public Schools is committed to providing all children with an education that cultivates productive habits of mind, body and heart, and our goal is to do so in a warm and welcoming environment where every child is seen, heard, and valued."

The letter went on to explain that non-local law enforcement officials, including ICE agents, are expected to present a valid judicial warrant signed by a federal judge to gain access to non-public areas of school facilities.

"An administrative arrest or removal warrant issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not a judicial warrant and does not authorize DHS officers or ICE agents to enter non-public spaces without the District’s consent. In the event that ICE attempts to gain entry to non-public areas of a school, they will be asked to wait for a member of the SPS Compliance Department to review the warrant and verify the legality of the request.

"At this time, legal experts in Connecticut believe there is a low likelihood that ICE agents will attempt to enter schools with a valid judicial warrant. In the event this does occur, school officials will make every effort to ensure such activity does not disrupt school operations. Should an immigration enforcement action occur in a school facility, members of the school community will be notified, as appropriate, following consultation with legal counsel."

Those who need assistance should contact the Office of Family & Community Engagement at 203-977-5312 or OFCE@stamfordps.org, or reach out to a school’s parent facilitator to be connected with the appropriate community resources.