Detained West Hartford Restaurateur Released From ICE: Officials

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford restaurateur and business owner Seyo Cecunjanin has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after spending nearly two weeks at a federal detention facility in Rhode Island, state congressional leaders said Friday.

Both U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, said Friday that Cecunjanin, who was detained by ICE agents June 20 outside a Dunkin' restaurant in West Hartford, was released Thursday night ahead of the July 4 holiday.

“Seyo’s release is a magnificent start to the July 4th celebration,” Blumenthal said in a statement. “So proud of all the community who rallied around Seyo as Congressman Larson and I fought for his release. Our letters, protests, and work behind the scenes vindicated his cause.”

Blumenthal added that Cecunjanin's son, Emir, told him his father is “doing great.”

“His courage and faith are a lesson to all of us on this 250th national birthday. I look forward to welcoming him home,” Blumenthal said. “ICE seizing and detaining him was cruel and unconscionable. He was never a flight risk or a danger to anyone. I’ll support his efforts to gain permanent legal status and more. Welcome home Seyo!”

Larson also welcomed Cecunjanin's release in a statement Friday.

“WELCOME HOME, SEYO!! We were so relieved to get the call we’d been hoping for from Seyo Cecunjanin last night, letting us know he was back home in West Hartford,” Larson said. “This is what it looks like to stand up to ICE and win. Our community sent a powerful message: we will not stand by as ICE ambushes and abducts our valued community members. Seyo is back where he belongs — with his family.”

Cecunjanin's detention prompted public demonstrations and calls for his release from elected officials and community advocates.

Earlier this week, Larson, Blumenthal, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, and supporters gathered outside West Hartford Town Hall urging the Department of Homeland Security to release Cecunjanin.

According to Larson, Cecunjanin was walking to his vehicle after leaving a Dunkin' restaurant in West Hartford when ICE agents stopped him.

Larson said five federal vehicles surrounded him, blocked his car, and took him into custody at gunpoint before transporting him to a detention facility in Rhode Island.

Larson described the detention as unjustified, saying Cecunjanin has lived in the United States since 1997 after fleeing the former Yugoslavia during the conflicts associated with Slobodan Milošević's government.

Larson said Cecunjanin is legally authorized to work in the United States, owns two West Hartford businesses and has been pursuing lawful permanent resident status.

Cecunjanin owns Portobello Restaurant at 156 Park Road and The Laundry Room on the Ave., a dry-cleaning and wash-and-fold business at 772 Farmington Ave.

Supporters have argued that Cecunjanin's decades-long residence in the United States, ownership of two local businesses, and pending application for lawful permanent resident status supported his release.

ICE has not publicly responded to the lawmakers' request for Cecunjanin's release or commented on the reasons for his detention.

The case also prompted differing reactions locally.

While supporters and several elected officials called for Cecunjanin's release, West Hartford Republicans defended ICE's actions, saying federal agents were carrying out their duties and raising questions about Cecunjanin's immigration status.

Cecunjanin's release marks the latest development in a case that drew widespread attention across West Hartford and Connecticut over the past two weeks.

From July 2: 'CT Delegation Demands ICE Release Detained West Hartford Business Owner'

From July 1: 'West Hartford GOP Defends ICE After Dems Condemn Restaurateur's Detention'

From June 29: 'Prominent West Hartford Businessman 'Abducted' By ICE: Officials; Outrage Expressed: UPDATE'