Danbury, CT — A sudden and visible increase in immigration enforcement has left many Danbury residents anxious and fearful after at least 13 people were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents between June 14 and June 16. The arrests have sparked concern among immigrant families, community organizations, educators, and both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

The first arrests occurred on Saturday, June 14, when three individuals were taken into custody. By Monday, June 16, at least 10 more individuals had been picked up from streets and neighborhoods across the city. Witnesses reported that many arrests occurred in broad daylight, with agents driving unmarked vehicles and sometimes wearing masks.

Community members said they saw ICE agents on White Street near Western Connecticut State University and close to the Danbury Railway Museum. In one widely shared video, a young mother was pulled from her car, leaving behind groceries and her child’s toys. Two young women were also reportedly taken while walking downtown.

Community Response

Advocacy group Greater Danbury Unites for Immigrants responded quickly, distributing “Know Your Rights” cards and warning residents to stay indoors if possible. Volunteers began spreading information early Monday (06/16) morning as word of ICE’s presence spread on social media and through text alerts.

“This is heartbreaking,” said Karen Hunter, a leader with the group. “We were standing on the sidewalk handing out cards when two young women walked by laughing. Hours later, we found out they had been taken. This isn’t the Danbury we want.”

Juliana, a leader with Greater Danbury Unites for Immigrants, said the situation left many people frightened to leave their homes. “Danbury is built on immigrant families,” she said. “This city’s schools, businesses, and churches are full of people from all over the world. We won’t stay silent.”

Local Leadership Reacts

Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, speaking with the CT Mirror, said neither he nor the Danbury police chief had been notified of ICE’s plans. Alves, who grew up undocumented and became a U.S. citizen in 2017, said any past collaboration between ICE and the city of Danbury had ended long ago.

“As somebody who’s formerly undocumented, I’ll tell you that nobody that grew up like me or currently is [undocumented] wants serious criminals living among them,” Alves told the CT Mirror. He added that ICE should focus on individuals with serious criminal records but stressed that everyone deserves due process.

“Folks who are here, hardworking, who are the backbones of our economy, our neighbors, your kids’ friends at schools, family members — we really should do what we can to protect folks and give people a path to be here legally,” Alves said.

Legislative Response

The arrests happened just days after the Connecticut General Assembly passed new amendments to the TRUST Act, a state law that limits how local police can cooperate with ICE. The changes are now awaiting the governor’s signature.

State Representative Farley Santos, a Democrat from Danbury, said the recent raids highlight why more protections are needed. “What we saw this week was terrifying for many families in Danbury,” Santos said. “This shows why we need stronger state laws that limit ICE’s ability to conduct these kinds of operations in our neighborhoods.”

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, a Democrat from Norwalk, said the Legislature worked hard to strengthen the TRUST Act to protect immigrant communities from sudden ICE actions. “These are our neighbors, our friends, and our coworkers,” Duff said. “We don’t want Connecticut to be a place where families live in fear of being torn apart.”

However, some Republicans voiced concerns about limiting law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies. State Representative Pat Callahan, a Republican from New Fairfield whose district includes parts of Danbury, said ICE operates under federal law and has the right to conduct enforcement actions.

“ICE plays a role in upholding immigration laws, and their focus is typically on individuals who have violated immigration rules or committed other offenses,” Callahan said. “That said, no one wants to see unnecessary fear or chaos in our communities. There should be transparency and clear communication from federal agencies about their actions.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to the CT Mirror’s request for comment.

Impact on Schools

Teachers and school officials are also raising alarms about the impact on students. Julian Shafer, a Danbury High School teacher, said immigration enforcement activity like this often causes dips in attendance and emotional distress among students.

“I’ve had students leave school because their families were targeted,” Shafer said. “This fear spreads quickly and affects entire classrooms.”

Local advocacy groups continue to organize protests, circulate petitions, and provide legal resources to families impacted by the raids. They are also urging state leaders to explore further protections for immigrant communities.

“We need to protect our residents,” Santos said. “And we need to make sure that everyone in Danbury feels safe.”

As the city waits for more answers from federal officials, one thing remains clear: the debate over immigration enforcement, civil rights, and community safety is far from over.

Know Your Rights: What Immigrants Should Remember During ICE Encounters

In response to the recent raids, many organizations are reminding residents of their rights when approached by immigration agents. The ACLU of Connecticut has published a detailed “Know Your Rights” guide for immigrants, which outlines key protections under the U.S. Constitution.

Here are some important points:

• You Have the Right to Remain Silent: You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the country. You can simply say, “I choose to remain silent.”
• You Do Not Have to Open Your Door: ICE agents cannot enter your home without a signed warrant from a judge. If agents come to your door, you have the right to ask them to slip the warrant under the door or show it through a window.
• You Have the Right to Speak to a Lawyer: If you are detained, you have the right to contact an attorney before answering any questions. You also have the right to refuse to sign any documents without legal advice.
• Do Not Show False Documents: Never show fake IDs or provide false information. Doing so could harm your case.
• Carry a Know Your Rights Card: The ACLU recommends that immigrants carry a card that asserts their rights and gives a statement for ICE agents saying the person chooses to remain silent and wants to speak with an attorney.
• Make a Safety Plan: If you or a family member is undocumented, it is wise to prepare a family safety plan, including emergency contacts and instructions for the care of children in case of detention.

More detailed information and printable Know Your Rights cards can be found at www.acluct.org or on the Tribuna CT website (https://www.tribunact.com/en/know-your-rights-aclu-ct-immigrants-rightsguide).

Community groups continue to urge residents: stay calm, know your rights, and seek legal help if you or a loved one are approached by immigration enforcement.

 Sources: CT Mirror, Tribuna CT, ACLU of Connecticut, Greater Danbury Unites for Immigrants