U.S. Lawsuit Against Connecticut Over Immigration Policies

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal action against the state of Connecticut and the city of New Haven. The lawsuit asserts that their sanctuary policies hinder federal immigration enforcement.

This lawsuit names several defendants, including Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and New Haven’s Mayor Justin Elicker.

The complaint challenges what the Justice Department refers to as “trust laws” and other local protections, claiming they violate federal regulations. According to the Justice Department, these policies have led to the release of “dangerous criminals” into communities. They argue that Connecticut and New Haven are deliberately obstructing federal immigration enforcement, posing risks to public safety, and that these actions conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate commented, saying that Connecticut has been living with the consequences of these misguided protection policies for years. The lawsuit aims to rectify what he describes as blatant defiance of federal law.

Mayor Elicker has responded vehemently, arguing that the lawsuit misrepresents the city’s immigration policies. He expressed confidence that the city has acted within the law and intends to contest the allegations. In fact, he mentioned that the executive order he signed—banning law enforcement from inquiring about individuals’ immigration status—does clarify the city’s stance.

Elicker stated, “Our employees have and will continue to comply with city, state, and federal laws in accordance with the executive order.”

Governor Lamont has also weighed in, asserting that the state law allows federal authorities to enforce immigration laws. He emphasized that Connecticut’s policies align with constitutional principles and aim to maintain public safety while respecting the rights of all residents.

Attorney General Tong added that Connecticut has the legal right to enact laws prioritizing public safety. He criticized the federal government’s approach as wasteful, insisting that Connecticut does not qualify as a “sanctuary” state—a term he finds vague and devoid of legal standing in Connecticut.

This marks the latest initiative by the Justice Department to challenge sanctuary policies in cities and states nationwide. Recently, a federal judge dismissed a similar lawsuit against Colorado and Denver, which was also accused of obstructing federal immigration law enforcement.