DOJ says state compliant on immigration

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday let Connecticut off the hook in the ongoing sanctuary city battle, saying the state is cooperating with federal law enforcement on criminal suspects and convicts who are undocumented.

Connecticut and Milwaukee County, Wis., received Justice Department notification of compliance, while New York City, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Chicago and surrounding Cook County, Ill., were told they failed to comply.

“I’m unsurprised that Connecticut was ruled in compliance,’’ said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., “State and local officials, police and employees in Connecticut have declined to participate in mass roundups or draconian interrogation of every person stopped at a red light. But they have never said they would defy lawful requests from federal authorities.’’

In Washington, Attorney General Jeff Sessions congratulated Connecticut and Milwaukee County for “their commitment to

“As we have said repeatedly, Connecticut is not in violation of any federal immigration laws.” Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Mike Lawlor

complying with (federal law), and I urge all jurisdictions found to be out of compliance in this preliminary review to reconsider their policies that undermine the safety of their residents.’’

As part of Trump’s fulfillment of a campaign pledge to crack down on illegal immigration, the administration conditioned federal law-enforcement aid on jurisdictions abandoning sanctuary status.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, local activists and leaders of the state’s sanctuary cities including New Haven resisted, drawing a line between hardened criminals subject to deportation and law-abiding immigrants who lack legal status.

The state has staked out a reputation for welcoming immigrants, legal or not. In 2013, Connecticut approved the TRUST Act, which set in place guidelines for compliance with federal immigration law in response to then President Barack Obama’s “Secure Communities” program that was upping deportations of undocumented immigrants.

State officials called the Justice Department announcement Thursday a win for Connecticut’s stand-your-ground position on immigrations.

“As we have said repeatedly, Connecticut is not in violation of any federal immigration laws,” said Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Mike Lawlor. “Trust between state and local law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities is vital to the public safety of all. Today’s announcement by the attorney general makes it clear that local law enforcement cannot be commandeered to serve as an extension of federal immigration authorities.”

According to Congressional aides, the Justice Department pronouncement on Connecticut means that the state’s sanctuary cities — New Haven and Hartford — are in compliance with the part of federal law that requires cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal counterparts.

“The whole (Trump) policy is legally suspect and susceptible to challenge,” said Blumenthal, himself a former state attorney general. “The Justice Department has always been on shaky ground in declaring these jurisdictions are violating the law.”