Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 65 people in Connecticut during a recent four day operation.
ICE has not revealed when the sweep of offenders accused of violent crimes in the U.S. and in other countries took place.
ICE indicates that 29 of those arrested have been charged or convicted in the U.S., with most involving serious crimes.
“Sanctuary legislation like Connecticut’s Trust Act only endangers the communities it claims to protect. Such laws only force law enforcement professionals to release criminal alien offenders back into the very communities they have already victimized,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “The state of Connecticut is a safer place thanks to the hard work and determination of the men and women of ICE and our federal partners. Working together, we were able to arrest 65 illegal aliens in just four days throughout Connecticut, many of whom had significant criminality in the United States,” said Hyde.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has not commented on "Operation Broken Trust" but in a statement issued last week, the governor said:
“The top priority of local and state law enforcement needs to be public safety and getting those who commit serious crimes off our streets. Kids should feel safe going to school, and people should feel safe in their neighborhoods and going to work. The Connecticut Trust Act prioritizes public safety, and it was adopted with bipartisan support and the Trump administration previously certified that it is in compliance with federal policies. Requiring law enforcement officials to prioritize public safety in no way makes a state a ‘sanctuary.’ We prioritize public safety work with all agencies – federal, state, and local – to keep dangerous criminals off the street.
“Connecticut is not a ‘sanctuary’ state. That term has no legal definition, and it is not an accurate description of our laws and practices. Labeling Connecticut a ‘sanctuary’ ignores the reality that our approach mirrors that of many other states that have adopted clear rules for cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These rules keep communities safe, respect due process, and allow police to focus resources where they are most needed.”
Another 13 people with serious violent histories were arrested in Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford.
(Photo: ICE)