ICE activity prompts community response

NORFOLK — The detention of a man who works in Norfolk by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the last week of January has raised community concern about federal immigration enforcement in the Northwest Corner.

A pair of upcoming forums on the state of immigration will be held at Trinity Lime Rock Church, 484 Lime Rock Road, Lakeville. Both talks are presented by Vecinos Seguros 2 (Safe Neighbors 2).

On Feb. 16 at 4 p.m., a local woman, whose husband was arrested by ICE but who avoided deportation after nine months in a detention center, will talk about her family’s experience and answer questions. She will be joined by Gabriela Vega-Matthews of Casa Comunitaria de Recursos (Community House of Resources) in Poughkeepsie.

On March 6 at 6 p.m., Connecticut Attorney General William Tong will answer questions about how to protect neighbors targeted by ICE and how Connecticut’s Trust Act works.

Erick Olsen, pastor of Church of Christ, UCC, of Norfolk expressed his concern about enforcement actions: “As a pastor serving a church in our community, I believe that every person has rights outlined in our Constitution, and these rights should be safeguarded. We clearly are a nation of laws that must be upheld. However, any violation of a person’s constitutional rights for any reason is of course unacceptable, and I will continue to seek ways to protect such rights for all. I encourage anyone who wishes to join me in these efforts to contact me.”

On Jan. 15, 2025, Janelle Medeiros, special counsel for civil rights for the State of Connecticut, office of the Attorney General, issued a memorandum explaining the Trust Act, enacted in 2013. The Trust Act— Connecticut General Statute 54-192h — “maintains Connecticut’s sovereignty by preventing deputization of local and state law enforcement for immigration enforcement.” However, the Connecticut Trust Act does not protect felons, does not prohibit communication between local law enforcement and immigration enforcement about individuals in custody, and does not restrict federal immigration authorities from enforcing federal immigration laws within Connecticut.

Medeiros wrote: “Many of Connecticut’s immigrant families are understandably concerned about how anticipated changes in federal immigration policy might affect them. It is the policy of the State of Connecticut to value, honor, and respect our immigrants, and refugees: they are our neighbors, family members, and friends. They are coworkers, bosses, parents, caretakers, and business owners. The entire State of Connecticut benefits when our immigrant community feels safe.”