This organization is committed to defending, promoting, and expanding the civil rights and civil liberties of all individuals in Connecticut through litigation, community organizing, legislative advocacy, and civic education and engagement. 

The information provided below was created by the Department of Communications of the ACLU of Connecticut and is intended for educational, civic, and advocacy purposes. Please note that this document was not prepared by the ACLU Connecticut legal team, and nothing in the information below constitutes legal advice. The full document, which is updated in real-time by the ACLU Department of Communications, can be found here: https://www.acluct.org/en/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights. 

Immigration Law in the US and Connecticut: 

The United States federal government regulates immigration law nationwide. Congress controls immigration statutes, but the executive branch is charged with enforcement. SCOTUS has consistently upheld that immigration law belongs in federal jurisdiction via the Supremacy Clause. President Trump issued several executive orders in January of 2025 about immigration. The ACLU has challenged the constitutionality of at least two of those orders. 

States can have some laws governing how immigrants experience life in their state, but explicitly cannot regulate immigration via state law. 

For example, some states (like Connecticut) limit the information-sharing and interactions that local and state law enforcement can have with immigration officials. Some states also provide certain benefits to immigrant residents. Connecticut law is clear: if ICE wishes to detain or deport someone, it can expend its own resources and time doing so. Local and state law enforcement are under no obligation to assist with this process. Local and state police do not need to arrest, transport, or detain people for ICE, nor do local jails, courthouses, or prisons need to allow ICE to roam their facilities. Connecticut’s most commonly referenced immigration statute is called The Trust Act, which prohibits state law enforcement from doing ICE’s job for them.  

What does The Trust Act say? 

The Trust Act is Connecticut’s immigration law. Passed in 2013 and updated in 2019, the statues govern how state and local law enforcement can interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

The Trust Act: 

• Prevents state and local law enforcement, including probation officers, from: 

• arresting, 

• transporting, 

• or detaining people in the state of Connecticut on behalf of ICE. 

For those in state or local police custody in Connecticut, the Trust Act imposes parameters on compliance of state and local law enforcement with an ICE civil immigration detainer request. These requests hold a person past the point they would otherwise be eligible for release from custody. 

NOTE: ICE civil immigration detainer requests are not backed by a judicial warrant, which requires due process, and are merely administrative requests. 

NOTE: This does not apply to those who have a serious felony conviction, nor those on a terrorist watch list. 

The Trust Act does NOT prevent ICE from operating or having a presence in Connecticut. 

Know Your Rights 

Whether you are an immigrant, migrant, family or community member, employer, faith leader, advocate, student, or protestor, it is best for you to know your rights. If you anticipate interactions with ICE for any reason, prior planning and practice can go a long way in helping you to exercise your rights. 

Stay informed. Follow the ACLU and CLU CT on social media for reality-based advocacy and civic education information. If you hear about ICE activity or raids in your locality, work with local advocates or elected officials to ascertain if the activity is credible.  

If you are an immigrant, migrant, refugee, or asylee individual or family, have a Preparedness Plan. You can find a Preparedness Plan in eight languages here: https://portal.ct.gov/governor/immigration-resources-familypreparedness- 

plan 

What happens if I get stopped on the street by ICE? 

Do not run. Remain calm. If officials ask for your name, you must tell them. You do not have to answer any other questions. You can ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, you may walk away calmly. It is best not to lie or carry false documents with you. 

What are my rights if I am arrested? 

• If they ask for your name, you must tell them. You don’t have to answer other questions. 

• You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud and ask for a lawyer right away. 

• You can ask to make a phone call and speak with your lawyer. Memorize the phone number of your lawyer or a family member or a trusted friend who is in the United States legally. 

• You do not have to give information or answer any questions about your immigration status. 

• You do not have to sign any documents. 

• Remember: it is best not to lie or carry false documents with you. 

What can I do if ICE comes to my workplace? 

• Do not run. If they are not looking for you, running will make you a target. 

• If they ask for your name, you must tell them, but don’t have to answer other questions. 

• You can ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, you may walk away calmly. 

• You can carry the language below on a card with you and hand it to the police or immigration. Or slip it under your door, if immigration comes to your house:  

“I am exercising my constitutional rights. I do not wish to speak with you. I will not open the door unless you have a warrant signed by a judge.” 

Note: immigration does not need a warrant or permission to enter the public spaces of a business such as the dining room in a restaurant. They do need a warrant or permission to enter areas that are not open to the public, such as the kitchen in a restaurant. 

What can I do if ICE comes to my home? 

• You do not have to open the door. 

• You can ask the officials if they have a warrant. You can ask the officials to pass the warrant under the door. 

• You can confirm that the warrant has been signed by a judge or magistrate. Only a warrant signed by a judge or magistrate allows immigration officials to enter your home to search your home or make an arrest. 

• Remember that a warrant of removal/deportation (Form I-205) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent. 

• An arrest warrant will name the person they are looking for. If they only have an arrest warrant, you do not have to agree to let them search your home. 

• If the warrant is not signed by a judge or magistrate, you do not have to open the door or allow entry into your home. 

• If they enter your home anyway, you have the right to ask for the names and badge numbers of the officer and say you did not agree to the search. 

• Even if the warrant is valid and immigration officials are allowed to enter your home or make an arrest, you do not need to answer their questions. You have the right to remain silent, even if the officer has a warrant. 

• If you are arrested, you can ask to speak with an attorney. 

Note: if immigration officials take items from your home, keep a record of what they took and ask for a receipt for the items. 

Remember, Know Your Rights. Whether you are an immigrant, migrant, family or community member, employer, faith leader, advocate, student, or protestor, it is best for you to know your rights. If you anticipate interactions with ICE for any reason, prior planning and practice can go a long way in helping you to exercise your rights. 

Stay informed. Follow the ACLU and ACLU CT on social media for reality-based advocacy and civic education information. If you hear about ICE activity or raids in your locality, work with local advocates or elected officials to ascertain if the activity is credible. Some of these groups are listed here: https://www.acluct.org/en/pressreleases/ statewide-coalition-advocacy-organizations-demands-policymakers-strengthen 

If you are an immigrant, migrant, refugee, or asylee individual or family, have a Preparedness Plan.