By Deidre Montague, Northend Agent’s
Connecticut has recently been placed on a list from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that identifies the state as a “self-identified” state sanctuary jurisdiction.
According to the Homeland’s website, the list was created to “identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens.”
The website also reports that Sanctuary jurisdictions “include cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities.”
It also defines Sanctuary cities as places “that protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”
Other states on the “self-identified” state sanctuary jurisdiction list include Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Some state politicians have made statements about the state recently being placed on this list.
State Governor Ned Lamont released a statement saying that this is a false label being placed on the state, saying that they want local law enforcement to focus on maintaining safety in local neighborhoods.
“We want local law enforcement focused on maintaining the safety of our neighborhoods and helping to get those who commit serious crimes off our streets. Connecticut’s Trust Act, which was originally bipartisan, is consistent with federal constitutional standards and reflects sound public safety priorities,” he said.
The Connecticut Trust Act was passed in 2019 to address the concerns many immigrant families in the state have “with anticipated changes in federal immigration policy that might affect them.”
The Act established “the State’s policy that local and state law enforcement resources should be focused on and allocated to local and state issues, rather than deputizing them to serve and carry out immigration enforcement for the federal government.”
“I am focused on making sure people feel safe in our schools, churches, and elsewhere. Nothing about this makes Connecticut a ‘sanctuary’ in any legal or practical sense – it makes our state one that upholds the Constitution, respects the rule of law, and prioritizes the safety and well-being of our communities,” Lamont added.
State Attorney General William Tong also issued a statement on the state’s placement on this list, echoing Lamont’s sentiments that this is a false labeling.
“There is nothing in our laws or statutes that says Connecticut is a ‘sanctuary’ state. We are not. That is a meaningless term. It is the policy of the State of Connecticut to respect, honor and protect immigrants and immigrant families in compliance with the law,” he said.
“Trump’s own administration certified Connecticut’s compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 in 2017. Nothing has changed to alter that certification, other than (President Donald) Trump’s unhinged fixation on defunding and commandeering our police,” he added.
Tong also said that his office took legal action before when Trump attempted to defund the state’s law enforcement and “are prepared to defend Connecticut funding and public safety.”
House Speaker Matt Ritter also affirmed Lamont and Tong’s statement that the state is not a “sanctuary jurisdiction” in a statement.
“Connecticut is not a ‘sancuary’ jurisdiction — whatever that arbitrary term means in the mind of the President. The Trump Administration continues to use divisive language to frighten and confuse people,” he said.
The Homeland’s website states that each jurisdiction on the list will “receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes” and are “demanding that they immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws”, along with “renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”
The Associated Press reports that this recent list is a part of Trump and his administration’s attempts to mark communities, states, and jurisdictions that it believes are not working to impose its “immigration enforcement agenda and the promises Trump made to deport more than 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal authorization.”
If you are concerned about these recent federal immigration policy changes, here is a list of state and national resources. You are not alone.
State Resources:
UNDOCUMENTED SUPPORTS
- Connecticut Legal Services 1-800-798-0671
Connecticut Legal Services, a statewide organization that provides legal representation and counseling to low-income Connecticut residents, is prepared to provide legal aid to undocumented and low-income immigrants. They also offer an immigration legal advice hotline available at 1-800-798-0671.
- CT Institute for Refugees and Immigrants- Advocacy and Legal Support
What We Do: Services Provided
For 100 years, the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants has built a legacy of leadership, compassionate service and effective advocacy for immigrants, refugees and survivors of human trafficking and torture. We have consistently remained true to our mission to serve and empower new Americans to thrive in Connecticut. At the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, we strengthen lives and our communities, demonstrate resilience in meeting the evolving needs of generations of immigrants into Connecticut, and have an enduring presence in the community.
Legal Consultation: To schedule an appointment with a member of our legal team, please select the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants’ office closest to you:
Hartford Office, 175 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106, 860-692-3085
Main Office, 670 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, 203-336-0141
Stamford Office, 34 Woodland Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, 203-965-7190
For general questions about our Immigration Legal Services, citizenship preparation classes or to inquire about coordinating a presentation or training, please email immigration@crict.org or contact the nearest Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants’ office.
- Greater Hartford Legal Aid – Hartford County 860-541-5000
“To achieve equal justice for poor people, to work with clients to promote social justice, and to address the effects and root causes of poverty.”
EDUCATION
- College Resources for Undocumented Students Article from October 2020
CT State Universities and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program that allows undocumented immigrant youth who came to the US at a young age and meet certain qualifications to apply for a work permit and gain protection from deportation. All information for DACA, legal services, school questions etc.
Guide to financial aid for undocumented CT youth: Examples of help and information in obtaining a college degree and where to look for financial aid.
HEALTH
- Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHCACT)
The Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHCACT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting the clinical and administrative operations of community health centers across Connecticut. Finding a Low-Cost “Undocumented Safe” Clinic
- The Department of Public Health’s Refugee and Immigrant Health Program (RIHP):
Refugee and immigrant health resources: The Department of Public Health’s Refugee and Immigrant Health Program (RIHP) is the public health component of Connecticut’s Refugee Assistance Program. The RIHP works with refugee resettlement agencies and other sponsors, local health departments, and health care providers to offer appropriate health assessments, follow-up or referral, and community-based health education to newly-arriving entrants to Connecticut. The RIHP assists refugees and asylees, persons with special immigrant visas, lawful permanent residents, and certain other entrants to Connecticut. The RIHP does not receive health information about tourists, students, or persons with work visas.
NATIONAL RESOURCES:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has provided a list of Immigrant Rights in the following languages (English, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and Urdu).
- National Immigration Law Center: Know Your Rights
- A Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Worksite Immigration Raids
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- United We Dream
When you’re undocumented, you face a lot of discrimination, and that creates a lot of fear. At United We Dream, we transform that fear into finding your voice. We empower people to develop their leadership, their organizing skills, and to develop our own campaigns to fight for justice and dignity for immigrants and all people. This is achieved through immigrant youth-led campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. Health Care Access for Undocumented Folks in the time of COVID-19.
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/statue-of-liberty-290386/
