Danbury City Council Votes to Allow Non-Citizen Migrants as Police Officers

The city council in Danbury, Connecticut, which is led by Democrats, has made a significant decision to allow non-citizen migrants to serve as police officers. This vote, it seems, was a direct response to recent federal immigration raids that took place in the city.

According to council members, the intent behind this decision was to convey a message to federal immigration officials. Out of twenty council members, only two opposed the measure, indicating a strong majority in favor of supporting undocumented individuals.

New qualifications for police applicants now include DACA recipients and non-citizen legal residents. Joe Britton, a left-leaning council member, emphasized that all applicants would still be subjected to the same background checks as their counterparts. He was quite vocal about the sense of unity he believes is fostered within the police force, stating that once in uniform, all officers would be “on the same team,” regardless of their citizenship status.

Britton expressed his sentiment, comparing it to his experience in the military: “In the Army, I learned quickly your background doesn’t matter when you put on the uniform. Same team. Same mission. I believe the same applies to our police,” he remarked, linking the camaraderie among officers to their collective goals.

Moreover, he reiterated, “It’s legal. It’s allowed. It’s been recommended. … I do think it’s timely, and this vote sends a message to our immigrant community that you are welcome in Danbury.”

Mayor Roberto Alves also supported the new policy change, reflecting on his own experience as an undocumented immigrant when he arrived in the U.S. He criticized ICE for its recent enforcement operations, arguing that such actions have instilled fear in the community and negatively affected local businesses.

“We don’t see folks going to the stores. We still see parents scared to send their kids to school. We still see parents scared to go to work,” Alves lamented, illustrating the ongoing climate of anxiety within the community.

Concerns have been raised among activists for undocumented individuals, particularly regarding a notable drop in school registrations in Danbury—around 700 students since last year. Reports indicated that the decline was significant among English-learners, multilingual students, and those from low-income families, amid a decrease in migrant numbers in the area.

In a recent CNN interview, former Trump administration official Tom Homan defended ICE’s operations, asserting that the agency is performing its legal responsibilities by targeting individuals who are in the country illegally, including those with removal orders or criminal backgrounds. He dismissed claims that ICE’s actions are intended to frighten communities, stating, “That is just a political statement, you know, to enrage the American people.”