Danbury, Conn. – A wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations this week has left local families uneasy. According to community activists, roughly 50 individuals were taken into custody in Danbury alone, while a separate detention occurred in nearby Stamford.
One Danbury resident, who asked to remain unnamed, recounted a brief conversation with her husband after he was detained on Monday morning. “He didn’t say much. I’m not sure if he’s trying to protect me from worry,” she said.
The husband, identified as Fidel Romero, has no criminal record and is the father of three children. His employer, Chloe Layman, warned that the arrests highlight a growing fear among residents who assumed a “blue‑state” like Connecticut would be insulated from aggressive immigration enforcement.
“You live in a blue state and think these things aren’t going to happen. Then you see a horrifying news story from another time zone,” Layman said.
Activists attribute the recent surge to the start of the school year, noting that parents are returning to work and bringing their children back to school, which they say makes the community feel less safe. “A part of the reason why they’re having this uptick right now is because school is starting and parents are letting their kids back in and to make the community and the people feel unsafe,” said a spokesperson for Danbury Unites for Immigrants.
Governor Ned Lamont and other elected officials have reiterated their support for immigrants, reminding residents of their constitutional rights and the limits on ICE’s ability to enter private property without a warrant. Nonetheless, community activists say the enforcement actions are eroding confidence in the rule of law.
“We believe in justice. We believe in the rule of law. We believe in human rights and constitutional rights. And none of those things are being followed by ICE at the moment,” said activist Margaret Henderson.
Another local advocate, Fran O’Rourke, added, “They’re not here to protect our community. They’re making it unsafe. And that’s why we’re here.”
ICE declined to comment on specific operations, citing operational security and officer safety. A spokesperson for the agency stated, “Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country, including in Connecticut.”
What this means for families
For families with mixed‑status members, the recent arrests raise practical concerns about school attendance, employment stability, and community cohesion. Parents are urged to stay informed about their rights, seek legal counsel if needed, and cooperate with local advocacy groups that are monitoring enforcement activity.
Community organizations have pledged to continue tracking ICE actions and providing updates to residents. They encourage anyone who witnesses an ICE operation or who believes a family member has been wrongly detained to contact them for assistance.
As the school year progresses, local leaders and faith‑based groups are calling for calm, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional protections while respecting the rule of law.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
