Opposition to ICE Raids Grows in Connecticut

 

Outrage at increasing ICE abductions at courthouses and work sites by masked, unidentified agents is bringing immigrant rights organizations together along with elected officials and other allies across the state, and a federal investigation launched by US Sen Richard Blumenthal.

In recent days groups of armed, masked agents have taken people outside the courthouses in Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford, and also at a carwash in Newington. Observers demanded to see a court ordered warrant, and asked for the identity of the agents, and to know where those kidnapped were being taken. No replies were given.

Immigrant rights groups in Danbury, Norwalk-Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Middletown and Hartford have been organizing support for affected families and have formed Rapid Response teams to let the community know if ICE is spotted in the area.

When Stamford Rep. Corey Paris posted a message for the community to “remain vigilant, stay aware of your surroundings and, above all, prioritize your safety.” and check on concerned neighbors, it was distorted by extremist right-wing groups who falsely claimed he was interfering with ICE and called for his arrest. Paris and his family have been harassed including death threats.

Lt Gov Bysiewicz, the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the State Legislature and other lawmakers convened a press conference to denounce the harassment, uphold the legitimacy of Paris' actions and to call on ICE to stop aiding and abetting extremist groups and threatening elected officials.”

A formal investigation into the enforcement tactics being employed by ICE has been launched by US Sen Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Congressional Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Committee. He is seeking documentation on methods that may result in “over-arrests, unjustified detention, excessive use of force and other potentially abusive tactics,” citing “flash bang grenades, physical violence, tasers, or simply the detention without formal arrest.”

He said the investigation comes following reports of ICE “exceeding its power, using unwarranted and excessive force, unidentified and unmarked agents wearing masks, seizing people who may be in this country, completely lawfully, doing nothing wrong, detaining them.”

“We need every politician, from local to national levels, to stand with immigrants,” Tabitha Sookdeo with CT Students for a Dream said. “This is a moment that demands moral courage, because every day that passes, more families are torn apart, and in Connecticut, we are feeling this deeply.”

“I do not regret choosing compassion, vigilance, and safety for all who call our community home,” said Rep Paris. “While I may carry the weight of criticism at this moment, our friends and neighbors who are immigrants carry the weight of being targeted, silenced, and made voiceless. They live with the constant fear that their families could be targeted, disrupted, or torn apart.”