The Danbury, Connecticut, City Council voted 18-2 to approve a policy allowing non-citizen legal immigrants and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients to serve as police officers. The decision comes amid heightened tensions following recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the area.
Council approves non-citizen police officers
The council’s vote, held last week, included support from 18 members, with two opposing. Councilmember Joe Britton, a Democrat, stated the measure was intended to send a welcoming message to immigrant communities in Danbury amid recent ICE activities. “The vote was timely considering recent ICE operations in the area and sends a message to our immigrant community at large that you are welcome in Danbury,” Britton said.
DHS criticizes policy as 'encouraging criminal illegal aliens'
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the policy, calling it an effort to “encourage criminal illegal aliens.” The DHS statement argued that local officials should instead support ICE’s enforcement of immigration laws. “An oath of office is a commitment to upholding the law, not encouraging criminal illegal aliens to break it,” the spokesperson said. The agency emphasized that ICE operations in Connecticut had resulted in the arrests of individuals with serious criminal convictions, including assault, sexual assault, false imprisonment, and molestation of a minor.
ICE raids spark local and national debate
The council’s decision follows public outrage in Danbury after ICE conducted raids in late August, detaining dozens of individuals over two days. Mayor Roberto Alves, Governor Ned Lamont, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, and Senator Chris Murphy joined a protest at Kennedy Park in Danbury on August 26, 2026, to condemn the raids. Protesters called for stronger measures against ICE, while DHS defended the operations as necessary to remove individuals with criminal records.
Details of ICE arrests raise further questions
According to ICE, more than 65 arrests were made during the August operations. Among those detained was Eddy Ruano, a Guatemalan national convicted of molestation of a minor, and Ericko Valenuela-Chua, another Guatemalan national arrested in Connecticut. DHS stated that these arrests were part of efforts to remove dangerous criminals from the community.
Councilmember Britton denied claims that the policy was intended to obstruct law enforcement, asserting that he had “no objection to arresting violent criminals.” He criticized DHS for mischaracterizing his remarks, stating, “DHS is attacking an argument I never made.”
The policy change and the subsequent DHS response highlight the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, local law enforcement priorities, and the role of non-citizens in public safety roles.