STATEMENT OF DANBURY MAYOR ROBERTO ALVES, SENATOR JULIE KUSHNER, AND REPRESENTATIVES BOB GODFREY, KEN GUCKER AND FARLEY SANTOS RE: FEDERAL ICE ACTIONS IN THE DANBURY COURTHOUSE

“When we took the oath of office, we made a commitment to ensure the safety of our community.  We’re angry and saddened that so many in our city, throughout the state, and across the nation are living in fear. What we witnessed in Danbury at the courthouse last week was a clear escalation of the Trump administration’s violent tactics, using armed and masked ICE agents to spread fear and intimidation.

“The federal government claims to target criminals, but we are witnessing people being detained without their constitutional right to due process.

“While immigration enforcement is the federal government’s responsibility, Connecticut law, the Trust Act, is clear — our state and local agencies are not to cooperate in these operations. We will continue to ensure the Trust Act is fully enforced and that no city staff, police, or resources are ever used to aid these actions.

“Our immigrant neighbors are part of the very fabric of this city.  Our mayor and Representative Santos were once undocumented immigrants who had firsthand experience with the fear, the silence, and the constant uncertainty these families face. At the local level, we will continue to meet with members of the community and faith leaders to provide resources and share information.  At the state level, we will support efforts to strengthen and enforce the Trust Act.

“We condemn the tactics and fear that the federal administration has brought to our community, and we will stand united not just in words, but also in action, to protect and defend the people of Danbury.”