Federal immigration enforcement activity in Danbury has drawn growing attention from residents, local officials, and community organizations this month, raising questions about how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts operations, communicates with local authorities, and interacts with the communities it serves.

The heightened attention began on June 4, when federal immigration officers carried out what ICE described as a targeted enforcement operation near Danbury Superior Court. Multiple people were taken into custody during the operation, which quickly became one of the most visible immigration enforcement actions in Greater Danbury in recent years. In the days that followed, community members continued reporting on additional ICE enforcement activity in the area, prompting Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves to issue a public statement acknowledging additional federal immigration enforcement within the city.

Following the June 4 operation, Mayor Roberto Alves said neither the City of Danbury nor the Danbury Police Department receives advance notice of federal immigration enforcement operations. He said municipal officials are not informed about who is being targeted or the circumstances surrounding those operations, leaving local authorities with limited information to provide residents. Alves also said enforcement actions conducted without transparency can create fear within the community and discourage residents from reporting crimes, seeking city services, or engaging with public institutions.

In a statement provided to CT Insider, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said the June 4 operation targeted multiple individuals who were in the United States unlawfully. DHS said many of those targeted had recently been released from local custody after jurisdictions declined to honor ICE detainer requests. The agency also said several of those arrested faced criminal charges, including allegations involving sexual assault of a minor, child abuse, kidnapping, and assault on law enforcement officers. Federal officials did not identify those arrested or specify how many people were taken into custody.

Witnesses also reported seeing individuals carrying professional video cameras and boom microphones alongside ICE agents during the June 4 operation. According to CT Mirror, photographs taken at the scene appeared to show camera operators accompanying federal officers as arrests were made. While federal agencies sometimes document law enforcement activities, the presence of professional video equipment raised questions about whether the operation was being recorded for internal purposes, public release, or other reasons. ICE has not publicly identified who operated the cameras or explained the purpose of the filming.

The recent enforcement activity has renewed conversations about immigration enforcement in Connecticut, the relationship between federal and local governments, and the rights of immigrants and community members during an encounter with ICE. Organizations, including the National Immigrant Justice Center and Informed Immigrant, encourage families to understand their constitutional rights, prepare emergency plans before an enforcement action occurs, and identify a qualified immigration attorney or Department of Justice-accredited representative before an emergency arises.

The June 4 operation was not the last immigration enforcement activity reported in Danbury during the month.

Additional Enforcement Activity Follows June 4 Operation

The June 4 courthouse operation was followed by another reported immigration enforcement action in Danbury less than a week later.

In a statement provided to the Danbury Patch, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said officers conducted a targeted enforcement operation in the city on June 10. According to the agency, one individual fled on foot after agents attempted to arrest him, leaving a one-year-old child unattended inside a vehicle. ICE said officers apprehended the man, allowed him to contact the child's mother, and remained with the child until she arrived. The agency identified the individual as Marcos Cevallos-Guzman, an Ecuadoran national, and said he remains in custody pending removal proceedings. ICE also stated that he had prior arrests for assault and disorderly conduct.

Following the incident, Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves issued a public statement explaining that neither the City of Danbury nor the Danbury Police Department had received advance notice that the federal enforcement operation would take place. Alves said Danbury police became involved only after ICE requested assistance for the unattended child. According to the mayor, local officers responded solely to ensure the child's safety after federal agents had already taken the individual into custody.

Alves also reiterated that ICE does not notify municipal officials before conducting immigration enforcement operations or provide information about who is being targeted. He said the lack of communication leaves local officials unable to answer residents' questions and contributes to uncertainty within the community. While immigration enforcement falls under federal authority, Alves said the city remains committed to ensuring public safety and responding whenever assistance is requested.

Know Your Rights During an ICE Encounter

The recent immigration enforcement activity in Danbury is also a reminder that every person in the United States has certain constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status.

According to the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), individuals who are approached by ICE have the right to remain silent and are not required to answer questions about where they were born, their immigration status or how they entered the United States. People also have the right to speak with an attorney if they are detained.

NIJC advises individuals to remain calm during an encounter with ICE, avoid running or resisting officers, and never provide false information or fraudulent documents. If an officer asks to search a person or their belongings, individuals may clearly state that they do not consent to the search, although officers may still conduct a search under certain legal circumstances.

If ICE officers come to a person's home, NIJC explains that residents do not have to open the door unless officers present a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An administrative warrant issued by ICE generally does not authorize officers to enter a home without the resident's permission.

According to Informed Immigrant, a national nonprofit initiative that provides trusted legal information and practical resources for immigrant communities, families should prepare for the possibility of an immigration enforcement action before an emergency occurs.

The organization recommends creating a family emergency plan, keeping copies of important documents in a secure location, memorizing the phone numbers of trusted relatives and legal representatives, and identifying someone who can care for children or dependents if a family member is unexpectedly detained. It also encourages immigrants to identify a licensed immigration attorney or Department of Justice-accredited representative before an emergency arises.

For those who witness an ICE operation in a public place, NIJC notes that individuals generally may record or photograph law enforcement officers from a safe distance as long as they do not interfere with the operation. If someone believes their rights have been violated, both NIJC and Informed Immigrant recommend documenting what occurred and contacting a qualified immigration attorney or a reputable nonprofit legal services organization as soon as possible.

Finding Trusted Legal Help

Periods of increased immigration enforcement are often followed by an increase in immigration scams. For that reason, organizations such as the National Immigrant Justice Center and Informed Immigrant encourage individuals to seek advice only from professionals who are authorized to practice immigration law.

Individuals who need immigration assistance should consider consulting a licensed immigration attorney or a Department of Justice (DOJ)-accredited representative. DOJ-accredited representatives are authorized by the federal government to provide immigration legal services through recognized nonprofit organizations and may offer a more affordable option for eligible clients.

Immigrants should be cautious of individuals who promise guaranteed results, encourage them to submit false information, or ask them to sign blank forms. In the United States, a notary public is not authorized to provide immigration legal advice unless they are also a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.

The National Immigrant Justice Center and Informed Immigrant recommend identifying a trusted legal representative before an emergency occurs. Families should keep copies of important immigration documents in a safe place, share emergency contact information with trusted relatives, and know how to quickly reach their attorney or legal representative if a loved one is detained.

Before hiring anyone to handle an immigration case, individuals should verify that the person is authorized to provide immigration legal services. Licensed attorneys can be verified through the Connecticut Judicial Branch's online attorney directory at https://www.jud.ct.gov/attorneyfirminquiry/.

Verify Before You Hire

Connecticut Attorney Lookup
https://www.jud.ct.gov/attorneyfirminquiry/

DOJ Recognized Organizations & Accredited Representatives
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognized-organizations-and-accredited-representatives

American Immigration Lawyers Association Lawyer Directory
https://www.aila.org

Preparing for an immigration emergency does not mean that you expect one will happen. Organizations such as the National Immigrant Justice Center and Informed Immigrant encourage families to understand their rights, organize important documents and identify trusted legal assistance before a crisis occurs. Taking these steps now can help individuals and families make informed decisions if they ever encounter federal immigration authorities.