State eyes ‘sanctuary’ lawsuit

Feds’ California immigration action catches flak in Conn.

Connecticut is closely watching the Trump administration lawsuit filed this week that seeks to force California to turn over illegal immigrants — and are confident the state could withstand a similar challenge.

“What we do in Connecticut is totally legal,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Wednesday, referring to state immigration policies.

“We are protective of individuals in our state and make sure due process is followed,” Malloy said. “We have struck the right balance.”

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions late Tuesday evening asked a federal judge to overturn California’s so-called “sanctuary state” laws that limit police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Connecticut has similar laws on the books. The

state’s Trust Act directs local law enforcement to only detain undocumented immigrants if they are convicted felons, were issued a deportation order, are gang members or on a terrorist watch list.

While Connecticut has not been sued by the federal justice department, the state is feeling the sting of Trump administration retaliation against states not complying with its immigration policies.

Connecticut has lost an estimated $2.6 million in federal community policing grants. But, so far at least,

the state and its self-declared “sanctuary cities” — Hartford, New Haven and Willimantic — have not been sued by Trump.

“Simply in terms of logistics, it’s unrealistic and impractical for local governments to enforce federal immigration law, just as it is unrealistic and impractical for them to enforce federal labor law, federal environmental law, or federal tax law,” said New Haven Mayor Toni Harp. “Municipal governments just aren’t equipped to do so.”

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, a Democrat running for governor, said Trump is “bullying” states that do not comply with

his polices.

“Once again, instead of focusing on how we can actually make our communities safer and stronger, the Trump administration is bullying the state and local governments because they don’t support its antiimmigrant agenda,” Bronin said.

“We’ve seen time and again in Connecticut that the federal government is targeting law-abiding, hardworking families for deportation and not focusing on dangerous criminals,” Bronin said. “I commend Governor (Jerry) Brown in California for standing his ground.”

‘We have a problem’

The Trump lawsuit, while generally regarded as just the latest tactic to compel states to comply with the administration’s policies, raises debate over states rights and responsibilities.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, a Democrat running for governor, said the federal government should leave states out of federal immigration enforcement.

“The federal government should be working on a more compassionate immigration policy instead of compelling states to do the job of the federal government,” Ganim said. “It’s not

the state’s role or responsibility, nor do we have the authority.”

Bridgeport, the state’s largest city, has stopped short of declaring itself a sanctuary city and instead says its a “welcoming city” for immigrants.

Ganim has issued municipal IDs to documented and undocumented residents and — perhaps because of avoiding the term “sanctuary city” — recently received a $1.8 million federal grant to hire police officers.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, weighed in on the suit, saying that “Forcing local police offices to serve as ICE agents does nothing to make us safer. In fact, it does the exact opposite, fostering distrust between local law enforcement and the community they serve.”

Sessions on Wednesday blasted California for not cooperating with federal immigration policies.

“California, we have a problem,” Sessions said. “A series of actions and events have occurred here that adversely impacts the work of our immigration officers. You flout the law and boldly endorse illegality. This is an embarrassment to the proud State of California.”

In addition to not reporting illegal immigrants to federal authorities, California law prohibits private

employers from voluntarily cooperating with immigration authorities, requires them to alert employees about work site inspections and allows the state to look at federal Department of Homeland Security documents.

National police

State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said Trump’s immigration policies have only succeeded in “ripping apart” Connecticut families that have a right to live in the state.

“What I’ve seen in Connecticut is Trump’s policies ripping families apart, people who have not committed any crime and pay taxes,” Duff said. “They are married and have kids and are getting booted out. It’s focused on people who have not done anything wrong.”

Duff said there is no national police force and Trump should not be using the states to create one.

“It’s basically deputizing ICE and that should be concerning for all Americans,” Duff said. “There is no law that says we have to cooperate with ICE. The state is complying with all federal laws.”

But not everyone in Connecticut agrees that Trump’s immigration policies are too aggressive.

Connecticut Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano said the 2015 murder of Casey Chadwick — a 25 year-old stabbed to death by an illegal immigrant who had just been released from prison and was facing deportation — as an example of why states should cooperate with federal officials and crack down.

“The first role of government is to protect its citizens,” Romano said. “There is blood on Dan Malloy’s hands.”

Romano said he understands that many immigrants are hard working and come to Connecticut to make a better life.

“But there is a right way to do it,” Romano said.

Michael Pollard, chief of staff for Stamford Mayor David Martin, said the city does not agree with the Trump administration’s immigration policies and does not fear federal retaliation.

“I think the city has been very proud of its approach in regards to immigration and doesn’t feel a need to push it any further than that,” Pollard said. “Our policies, the way in which immigration is being handled, is very consistent with what the citizens would expect from a sanctuary city.”

Malloy